An armed robber who held up two newsagents has been locked up for five years.

Knife-wielding Dean Sheppard cornered a member of staff and demanded money from the till at a shop in Colney Road, Dartford at 8.50pm on Sunday, September 4.

Hooded Sheppard fled empty-handed after the victim's father ran into the street to call for help.

At 7.10am five days later, he raided a newsagents in St Vincent's Road, Dartford.

He threatened a staff member with a knife and punched him twice in the face before making off with £100 cash and several packets of cigarettes.

Sheppard was arrested the next day when he was identified from CCTV footage of the raid in Colney Road. Officers also seized a knife from him and some of the stolen cigarettes.

The 36-year-old, of St Edmund's Road, Dartford, pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and two counts of possession of a knife, and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lucy Macland said: "Dean Sheppard is clearly a violent individual whose criminal actions will leave a lasting impact on his victims.

"He is unfortunately well known to police and appears incapable of staying out of trouble.

"Robbery is a very serious offence, and committing such a crime while armed with a knife makes it that much worse.

"I can only hope that Sheppard attempts to turn his life around during his time in prison."