A robber who “terrorised” east London betting shop workers in a string of armed raids has been jailed.

Homeless Islam Uddin, 32, pleaded guilty to seven counts of robbery, two counts of attempted robbery and nine counts of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He was sentenced at the Old Bailey yesterday (Thursday, March 9) to serve a total of 10 years behind bars.

Uddin was identified by the Met’s Flying Squad detectives as being involved in a series of robberies in the Plaistow and Stepney areas between February 2016 and December 2016.

He was arrested by the Flying Squad on December 21 lastt year shortly after committing a robbery at a betting shop on Barking Road in Plaistow.

On arrest, officers found him in possession of an air pistol.

In each offence, Uddin entered the betting shop and then threatened staff with a pistol, demanding cash.

In total, around £1,500 was stolen during the various robberies and he targeted some of the betting shops more than once.

The offences took place at Coral in Barking Road, Plaistow, Paddy Power in Barking Road, Plaistow, and Betfred on Mile End Road.

Detective Constable Mark Waker, from the Met's Flying Squad, who investigated the case, said: "Uddin terrorised the staff at the betting shops he targeted.

“Many of them were left extremely shaken after he threatened them with a gun.

“It was only through good fortune that nobody was seriously injured by him and this sentence means that a dangerous and violent criminal is now behind bars for a considerable time.”