A pair of armed robbers who stole from a Dartford convenience store have been jailed for a total of more than seven years.

Frankie Pettit, 32, from Cricklewood, and Greig Andrew, 35, from Erith, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and robbery of a Co-op in Chastilian Road.

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Frankie Pettit, left and Greig Andrew, right.

The robbery happened in January when Pettit and Andrew raided the shop using a fake handgun to threaten staff.

The court heard that while Andrew queued at the tills with a bottle of beer, Pettit stormed into the shop with the dummy pistol and forced the cashier to open the till.

Andrew then put the bottle of beer on the counter and repeated Pettit's demand.

They stole cash, including a coin tray, from the till before fleeing.

After forensics analysed the shop, they found Andrew's fingerprints on the beer bottle - which he had left on the counter. He was arrested three days later.

Pettit was then identified by DNA left on a pair of tights he had used to cover his face. These were also left at the scene of the robbery.

Sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on July 6, Pettit was given a jail term of three years and nine months.

Andrew was jailed for three years and four months.

Detective Inspector Gary Scarfe, from Kent Police's serious and organised crime directorate, said: "This was an extremely traumatic experience for the victim having been faced by these two brazen offenders who subjected her to untold fear for her safety whilst one brandished a firearm.

"The level of violence shown towards an innocent member of the public was entirely unacceptable and anyone that brings a firearm on to the streets of Kent can expect a custodial sentence."