A ROBBER has been jailed for a ‘nasty, premeditated attack’ which severed a man’s finger.

Martin Powell was put behind bars at Reading Crown Court on Friday (24/10) for nine years for a robbery in Slough, on April 15 this year.

Powell, of no fixed abode, approached the 56-year-old victim in an alleyway between Faraday Road and Furnival Avenue at around 11.20am and threatened the man with a knife, demanding he hand over money.

The 46-year-old, held the knife to the man’s throat and when the victim pushed the knife away, the blade severed his little finger and injured his ring finger.

The robber then stole cash from the victim’s pocket and fled the scene on foot.

Powell was arrested and charged on May 15 and after a week-long trial at Reading Crown Court, he was found guilty of robbery and possessing an offensive weapon on September 17.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for robbery and two years behind bars for possessing the weapon, to run concurrently.

Investigating officer, Det Con James Jackson of Local CID in Slough, said: “This was a nasty, premeditated attack on a vulnerable victim, who has suffered life changes injuries to his left hand.

“The severity of the crime is reflected in the sentence handed down to Powell, who will be kept off the streets of Slough for a number of years. I welcome the sentence and I hope it brings some closure to the victim.

“Finally, I would like to thank all those officers and staff at Thames Valley Police who worked on this investigation, as well as the public for their help during our enquiries.”