Three men have been charged in connection with two armed shop robberies in the space of three days.

The trio were arrested when police stopped a car in Hengist Way, near Ramsgate, after the second raid on Friday.

Earlier that day, a shop worker at the Post Office in Seasalter, near Whitstable, was assaulted when robbers burst into the Joy Lane branch. The men fled the scene with stolen cash and cigarettes at about 3pm.

Three days earlier there was another robbery at the Premier Express in Queen's Road, Broadstairs.

Staff from the store reported being threatened with a knife, with one shopworker reportedly injured. Cigarettes and alcohol were also stolen on that occasion.

Three men have since been charged in connection with both robberies.

Neil Clarke, 37, of Paragon, Ramsgate; Zymon Elsom, 19, from King Street, Ramsgate; and 20-year-old Kane Sampson, of no fixed address, have been charged with two counts of robbery, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a knife.

Clarke has also been charged with failing to stop for police and driving without insurance or a licence.

The trio are due to appear at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court today.

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