A robber who held up a bank just three days after his release from an eight-year jail sentence for a similar offence has now been locked up for public protection after a judge branded him a danger.

Brett Mullan, formerly of Christianfields, Gravesend, walked into the TSB Bank in Tunbridge Wells and threatened a female cashier he would shoot her if she did not hand over money.

The disabled 44-year-old left with £650 after the terrified bank worker told him she did not have keys to other tills.

Mullan was sentenced to more than six years in prison under an extended sentence.

He will have to serve two thirds before he can be considered for release by the parole board and will be on licence for a further three years at the end of the full term.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mullan entered the bank in Mount Pleasant Road on January 15 this year after writing out a note on a betting slip. He was carrying a supermarket bag to put the cash in.

He handed the cashier the note, which ordered: “Fill up the bag or I will shoot you.” He put his hand in his pocket to back up the threat.

The cashier handed over the money and Mullan left and took a taxi to Sevenoaks.

He was arrested three days later when he went into a probation office in Gravesend about housing difficulties.

“Fill up the bag or I will shoot you" - Mullan's note to bank cashier

Mullan told officers the robbery was an act of desperation because he had not been given any help with accommodation by the local authority.

He had claimed in April 2012 when given his last sentence that he raided two betting shops - one being Corals in King Street, Gravesend - because he wanted to be sent back to prison.

Mullan, who is blind in one eye, diabetic and walks with a crutch, had been jailed in 2006 for another robbery. He has 62 previous convictions.

Judge Jeremy Carey said the offence was “utter greed”.

Mullan, who admitted robbery, could serve the full sentence of six years and four months if the parole board decides it is not safe to release him at the two thirds stage.