A PROLIFIC robber described by police as a 'vicious criminal' has been locked up indefinitely for a series of attacks.

Michael Powell, 18, originally from Atherton, near Wigan, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary, a robbery and asked for more than 30 similar offences to be taken into consideration. 

Powell  was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection at Liverpool Crown Court, and must serve at least three years before being eligible to apply for parole.

The court heard details of a catalogue of violent house burglaries and attacks.

In November last year, Powell and another man burst into a couple's house on Westrees, Leigh.

Both men were masked and threatened a couple inside with a car jack as they demanded the keys to a Mini Cooper parked on the drive.

Three days later Powell threatened a 71-year-old man with a hammer outside his house on Mayfair Drive, Aspull, but ran off empty-handed after demanding his car keys.

Then later that month, Powell and an accomplice battered a 32-year-old man with a lump hammer and baseball bat as they attempted to steal his car on Wigan Road, Bryn.

The victim suffered a broken arm and leg.

Det Sgt Phil Housley said: "Powell is a vicious criminal who would go to any lengths to steal. The victim of his last attack was lucky not have been even more seriously injured, such was the ferocity of the beating they gave him.

"They didn't even succeed in stealing his car, Powell and his friend just wanted to teach him a lesson for standing up to him."