A Detective today praised a community for helping catch two robbers nicknamed Little and Large.

The pair, Jethro Clarke, 27, who is 6ft 4in and wore a balaclava during the robbery, and 5ft Emma Johnson, 22, were jailed for a total of 11 years.

During a four-day trial at Lewes Crown Court the jury heard how Clarke stormed into Haffendens newsagent's in Pembury Road, Eastbourne, one morning in September last year and beat the 46-year-old shopkeeper over the head with a hammer.

They stole about £400 in cash, £100 of cigarettes and £400 in lottery scratch cards.

As the robbers left the shop a 76-year-old man tackled Johnson to the ground before he was also assaulted by Clarke, who hit the pensioner with the hammer.

The jury found the pair, both of Tenderden Close, Eastbourne, guilty of robbery. Clarke was also convicted of assaulting the shopkeeper, causing him actual bodily harm and also of common assault for hitting the pensioner.

Clarke was sentenced to six years in jail while Johnson was given a five-year term.

DC Bill Simons, of Eastbourne CID, said: "This was an example of a community pulling together to catch the offenders."