A DANGEROUS offender who terrorised victims during a campaign of intimidation and violence has been jailed for 10 years.

Ben Baldwin stole a car at knifepoint, tried to rob a woman he’d just bought a van from and assaulted a man with a metal pole.

The offences took place in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, prosecutor Rosamund Rutter said.

Newport Crown Court heard how he also walked into a woman’s house in Aberbargoed while she was babysitting and stole her Ford Focus car.

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The written-off vehicle was later found abandoned in the Cwmgelli area of Blackwood after attempts were made to set it on fire.

That offence took place in April 2020 before he stole a Ford Fusion on March 11 while wearing a snood and armed with a 9-inch knife.

Miss Rutter said: “The defendant told the owner to get out of his car before he pressed the knife into his side just below his ribs.”

Baldwin got into the vehicle and drove off.

It was soon abandoned and detectives found the defendant’s DNA on the steering wheel.

On May 25, Baldwin carried out an attempted robbery on Linda Macdonald after buying a van from her garage earlier that day.

Miss Rutter said: “The defendant returned to the business and told his victim, ‘I want my money back. I’ve got a knife.’ “He then admitted he didn’t have a weapon but told her: ‘I will get the boys up here.’ “The defendant then pointed his finger at the cars on the forecourt.

“The victim was left scared, shaken and distraught.”

Baldwin struck again four days later outside Angelo's Food Store when he attacked Jonathan Davies with a metal pole.

There was history between the two and the defendant asked him, "Are you ready for round two?"

He struck him when he was unable to defend himself as he was carrying a box of drinks he had just bought at the shop.

Mr Davies needed five stitches for a cut above his eyebrow which has left him permanently scarred.

Baldwin, 33, of Addison Street, Cefn Fforest, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, aggravated vehicle taking and driving whilst disqualified.

He had 21 previous convictions for 66 offences which included wounding with intent and violent disorder.

Matthew Cobbe, representing the defendant, said his client had turned to drink and drugs following the death of his father.

He added: “He dreads to think how his victims feel.

“The defendant is not someone without a moral compass.

“He was self-medicating through drink and drugs to cope with his grief.”

Judge Richard Williams told Baldwin he was a dangerous offender and he passed an extended sentence for the protection of the public.

The defendant was sentenced to seven years in prison plus an extended licence term of three years, making a total sentence of 10 years.

Baldwin will have to serve two-thirds of the seven-year custodial term in jail before he is eligible for parole.