A 19-year-old man has been found guilty of robbing two massage parlours.

Viltjer Zekaj, of Church Road, Eastchurch, near Sheerness, was said to have threatened the women there with a knife before searching the premises and leaving with cash, mobile phones, jewellery and credit cards.

Zekajwas cleared of three charges of rape connected with the robbery. He will be sentenced next Friday.

Zekaj’s friend Ardi Hila, 22, from London, was found guilty of two rapes at the massage parlours and a total of five robberies.

Judge Baker described Hila as selfish, clever and violent. The judge added: “Most of all, I find you a danger to the public.”

Hila was sent to prison for 19 years.

St Albans Crown Court heard that on September 15 last year the two men entered a parlour in Watford and a week later they went to another in Hemel Hempstead.

Det Supt Colin Sparrow said: “We are very pleased with this result. This was a difficult case and the investigation team worked hard to bring these offenders to trial.

“These were very serious crimes and our quick and decisive response meant that these men were quickly arrested.”