An armed robber who stole thousands of pounds from betting shops in a two-week crime spree has been jailed for 17 years.

Newham Recorder: Marcus Moore with a gun inside one of the betting shops (Picture: Met Police)Marcus Moore with a gun inside one of the betting shops (Picture: Met Police) (Image: Met Police)

Marcus Moore, of no fixed address, was sentenced today having earlier pleaded guilty to seven charges of possession of an imitation firearm, four charges of robbery, three of attempted robbery and one charge of theft.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how Moore armed himself with an imitatation gun to carry out the crimes between February 1 and 15 this year.

He carried out three robberies and one attempted robbery of betting shops in Newham, robbed a betting shop in Essex, attempted to rob a betting shop and a post office in Sidcup and stole ID cards and a TV from an address in Bromley.

Analysis of CCTV footage linked Moore to the offences and he was arrested on February 16.

In total the 33-year-old stole £4,818 and told police he carried out the crimes to fund his heroin addiction.