A "RUTHLESS" robber who targeted a Prestwich bookmakers has been jailed for seven years and two months.

Louis Andrew Taylor, aged 25, of Spindletree Avenue, Blackley, went to the William Hill shop in Middleton Road on September 21 last year armed with a knife.

At 7.30pm that day, he ran into the shop and threatened terrified staff with the weapon before fleeing empty handed.

Taylor then went to Ladbrokes in Victoria Lane, Blackley, and again threatened staff with a knife, but fled empty handed.

He struck for the third time that night at 8.30pm when he raised a Co-op store in Old Market Street, Blackley.

Taylor pointed a knife at the female member of staff and forced her to fill the bag with £520 before running off.

Three days earlier, Taylor raided a branch of Ladbrokes in Oldham Road, Miles Platting.

He threatened a female member of staff with a knife and fled with £400.

Taylor was arrested in October on suspicion of committing four robberies and was remanded into custody.

He appeared at Manchester Crown Court and admitted theft, two counts of robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, and two counts of possession of a bladed article.

Taylor was jailed at a sentencing hearing today.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Natalia Montano, of North Manchester Police, said: “Taylor was ruthless, robbing four shops in four days and subjecting victims to terrifying ordeals and in the process carrying a large knife.

“Justice caught up with him and he is now behind bars, where I hope he will reflect on the emotional harm he caused to his victims.”