A violent robber who threatened staff with weapons at four Chatham shops has been jailed for eight years.

Andrew Spencer, of no fixed address, stole hundreds of pounds between Thursday, October 7, and Saturday, October 9, last year.

He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday February 4, after he admitted three robberies, four counts of having a bladed weapon in a public place and attempted robbery.

The court heard how the 30-year-old went into a convenience store in Salisbury Road, Chatham, at 5.30pm on Thursday October 7, then threatened an employee with a screwdriver before he stole a quantity of cash.

The following day Spencer used a knife to threaten a woman working inside a shop in Luton Road, Chatham, and demanded that she opened the cash till.

He then stole hundreds of pounds before running out of the store.

On Saturday October 9 he went into a shop in Ordnance Road at around 12pm, and again used a knife to threaten a woman working inside, before stealing a large quantity of cash and running from the shop.

At around 4pm the same day Spencer targeted another shop where he asked to buy a can of drink. He was served by a woman and as the till was opened, he produced a knife and attempted to grab cash from inside.

However, on that occasion he was scared away by a male employee and left the store empty-handed.

Officers went to the scene and after searching the area found Spence on New Road at 5.10pm, matching the same description as the offender.
He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of robbery, and later charged in connection with all of the incidents on Saturday October 10.

Investigating officer, PC Harry Groves from the Chief Constables Crime Squad said: "Spencer used violence and force to threaten four innocent shop workers.

"He brandished a large kitchen knife to put them in fear of their lives in order to steal money.

"His actions will have a lasting impact on them mentally and his sentence is reflective of his offending."