A violent thug who carried out armed robberies at a bookmakers and post offices across Bexley and Dartford has been slapped with a ten year jail sentence.

Michael McClusky, 31 and of Brinkburn Close, west Thamesmead, was sentenced yesterday at Woolwich Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery on Thursday, March 21.

The court heard that McClusky along with another man entered various commercial premises in possession of axes, threatening staff and stealing money and other items.

The first offence occurred on January 30, at around 8pm at a bookies in Avenue Road, Bexley.

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Two men armed with axes entered through the front door and walked to the counter.

They smashed through the glass window separating the staff from the customers, with one of them putting the axe to the staff member’s throat.

They stole over £2,000 in cash along with cheque books and keys to the fruit machines.

On February 5 at a post office in Southfleet road, Dartford, two men entered the store with axes, hitting a staff member with the handle of the axe and punched him.

The men only managed to grab £5 and run out followed by a staff member who had seen the suspects get into a red vehicle believed to be a Volkswagen golf.

In a shocking third incident that day, a post office in Forest Road was targeted.

Two men entered the store with axes demanding money before emptying the tills and fleeing when the panic alarm was pressed.

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McCluskey was soon caught by officers from Kent Police after the previous incident as a cheque taken from the till of Erith Post Office had then been found in his when he was arrested.

He was charged with three counts of robbery on February 7.

Detective Sergeant Ian Barnard, South East Command Unit CID said: “McClusky is a very dangerous man with a complete disregard for the law.

"McClusky was already out on licence at the time he committed these offences.

"His conviction is a joint effort by the Met and Kent police, with the investigation led by officers from the Met and Kent police able to spot the vehicle and immediately detain McClusky.

"I am glad that a lengthy custodial sentence has been handed down and this criminal is off the streets and is unable to inflict any further violence."

His Honour Judge Shorrock of Woolwich Crown Court said, "McClusky has a poor attitude to society and see’s offending as a normal port of life.

"McClusky poses a high risk of harm to members of the public and the public must be protected from him."