THIS is the machete used to threaten terrified women in two Gwent garage robberies.

Iwan Owen, 24, brandished the 12-inch blade in the faces of his victims.

Owen, who wore a mask in the raids, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to robbing the Woodland Road Service Station in Croesyceiliog and the Albion Road Service Station in Pontypool.

Judge David Wynn Morgan said: "You chose garages staffed by lone females and you caused extreme fear and considerable psychological damage."

More than £500 was stolen during the two robberies.

Owen of Rover Way, Cardiff, gave no reaction to the sentence.

Jonathan Austin, prosecuting, said Woodland Road Service Station manager Joanna Ford was alone in the store when the defendant produced his machete.

Mr Austin said: "He was leaning over the counter pointing the tip at her chest. She was terrified and sick with fear."

Mr Austin said police arrived soon after the second robbery and arrested the defendant in a nearby lane.

Leighton Hughes, defending, said Owen was with others but had committed the robberies alone.

Mr Hughes said Owen was too scared to name his accomplices who were from the travelling community.

He said Owen regretted the trauma caused to the victims.