A robber who stole cash at a Sittingbourne shop has been jailed after his victim stopped his escape.

Christopher Bygrave targeted a woman at a store in Milton Regis together with Jimmy Brazil, who was sentenced earlier this year.

On May 23, Brazil entered the premises where he saw a woman waiting to deposit a quantity of cash.

He left the building and spoke to Bygrave, who went in and stood next to the woman at the counter.

As she tried to phone her husband who was waiting outside, Bygrave snatched the money from her hand and ran towards the exit.

The woman chased him and prevented his escape by partially shutting the door. The robber cut himself in the process.

Bygrave ran from the shop before the arrival of patrols but investigators recovered CCTV that showed both men at the scene.

The 42-year-old, of Fern Walk, Sittingbourne, was arrested on May 25 and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

He was jailed yesterday for two years and eight months.

Brazil, aged 30, was previously sentenced on May 26 to a 12-month community order and will have to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

PC Nathan Green said: "Bygrave is a violent man who forcibly stole a woman’s cash thinking his victim would not resist.

"He underestimated her and in the ensuing struggle left traces of blood at the scene.

"Investigators were quick to identify him as responsible for the crime and he is now serving a well-deserved prison sentence.

"I would like to commend the victim, her husband and other witnesses who have assisted us to bring Bygrave and his accomplice to justice."