A man raided a Sevenoaks jeweller's shop and then threatened members of the public with an air pistol as they chased him, a court heard.

Steven Ryan, 34, robbed Michael Whitcombe Jewellers in the High Street of £50,000 worth of gems.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he was armed with a Crosman .177 air pistol and a hammer.

After the raid on March 3, Ryan, of Vine Court Road, Sevenoaks, was chased by passers-by.

Despite being threatened with the gun, the court heard they continued their pursuit and eventually caught up with Ryan, restraining him until police arrived.

"You have pleaded guilty to very serious, violent offences and you will appreciate there have to be custodial sentences" - Judge Martin Joy

Ryan later told officers he was forced to carry out the raid because of drug debts.

He had originally denied robbery and possession of a firearm at the time of committing an offence and was due to stand trial.

But he changed his pleas to guilty before a jury was sworn in and has now been remanded in custody until he is sentenced.

Adjourning for reports, Judge Martin Joy told Ryan: "You have pleaded guilty to very serious, violent offences and you will appreciate there have to be custodial sentences.

"But it is right the court has as much information before it as possible before the length of sentence is fixed."