A robber who stabbed a jewellery shop manager during a raid has been jailed for life.

David Parker, 46, was stabbed in the head and hand when he confronted masked raider Kevin Griggs.

Griggs, 38, burst into North Road jewellers, in Durham City, armed with a kitchen knife and demanded staff open the safe.

He made off with two trays of jewellery worth more than £3,500 after being tackled by two members of staff.

Griggs denied having anything to do with the raid, which took place in November 2001, despite his DNA being found on a mask that was used in the attack.

But he was found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after less than an hour's deliberation.

Judge Tim Hewitt said a mandatory life sentence would have to be considered because of the "three strikes and out" rule relating to three serious crimes.

Christopher Prince, prosecuting, told the court Griggs was first convicted of two charges of assault and jailed for a year in 1987.

The following year, he was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to rob, robbery and causing actual bodily harm.

In 1994, Griggs received a sentence of seven-and-a-half years for possessing a loaded shotgun in a public place.

Griggs had worn a bobble-hat disguise to hide his identity when he robbed the jewellers, but was arrested eight days later when police found the hat after it had been discarded.

Judge Hewitt told Griggs: "The effects of your actions will leave lasting memories with your victims.

"There is evidence you will pose a continuing risk to the public and in the reports you are regarded as a dangerous person.

"You are a skilful and dangerous criminal who uses violence to gain money whenever it is needed."

Griggs, of Morningside, Sacriston, received a mandatory life sentence and was ordered to serve at least eight years.

Mr Prince told the court: "The Crown say he put on that mask in an effort to avoid identification.

"All he actually did was strengthen the identification."