An armed robber has been jailed after targeting a pub, betting shop and grocery shop in the space of 11 days.

Jaymes Lang forced customers and staff at The Sun Inn, Feering, to lie down on the floor as he brandished a knife and demanded cash.

Two days earlier, he went into Ladbrokes at 137 Newland Street, Witham, and passed a note to staff demanding money or he would shoot them.

His final target was the Co-Op in Church Street, Bocking, where he tried to prise open the till after the cashier refused.

Lang, 23, of Snowdrop Close, Witham, was jailed for four years after admitting two robberies and one attempted robbery on Monday.

He received an extended sentence of six years, which means if he offends again within six years, he will be returned to prison.

* Full story in today's Braintree and Witham Times.