AN axe-wielding robber repeatedly hit a man in an Oldbury street as he walked home from work and made off with his mobile phone and wallet.

The attacker jumped out of a car brandishing the axe and set upon a 26-year-old who was walking along Castle Road East in the early hours.

Two other men from the dark-coloured saloon also kicked and punched the man as he fell to the floor.

The robbers searched him and took his iPhone 5S, with a distinctive storm trooper case, small change, his wallet and driving licence, before jumping back into their car which drove off towards Wolverhampton Road.

The victim suffered a stab wound to his shoulder, severe cuts and bruising which needed medical treatment.

Detectives, who have only just released details of the crime, want to trace a pedestrian who may have witnessed the robbery which happened shortly before 5am on Thursday September 25.

DC Julian Hawley, of Sandwell CID, leading the investigation, said: “The young man had finished his shift and was on his way home from work when he was set upon by a gang of men, who used fairly extreme force in order to steal his phone.

“He suffered multiple injuries and lost consciousness following the attack.

“We now need to trace anyone who was in the area and saw anything − particularly a man who was wearing a white jumper and was seen near to the offence location, walking along Castle Road East towards Harborne Road."

The offenders are described as Asian men, in their teens or early 20s.

Witnesses should call Sandwell CID on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.