"Ruthless" Robber Locked-Up

A “ruthless career criminal” is starting a long prison sentence for terrorising staff at bookies shops during a series of armed raids.

Marcus Moore 33, received 17 years and 4 months after he pleaded guilty to seven charges of possession of an imitation firearm, four charges of robbery, three of attempted robbery and one charge of theft.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad arrested Moore on February 16 after analysis of CCTV footage linked him to a series of robberies and attempted robberies.

Moore armed himself with an imitation gun to carry out the crimes at bookmakers in Bromley, Newham and Essex.

A robbery was also carried out at a Post Office in Bromley.

The total amount of cash stolen by Moore was £4,818.

During his police interview, Moore said he had committed the offences to fund his heroin addiction.

Detective Constable Katie Scott said: "The recent spate of robberies posed a serious danger, not just to the employees of the bookmaking industry, but to the people of London as a whole.

"Marcus Moore is a ruthless, career criminal who carried out these acts of violence to fund his drug addiction.

"As a result of this prosecution Moore is now behind bars for a significant period of time.

"I would like to pay tribute to the victims and witnesses of these frightening offences who had the bravery to support the investigation."

Moore pleaded guilty to the following charges:

Attempted robbery at a bookmakers in Sidcup on 1 February.

Attempted robbery at Post Office in High Street, Sidcup on 6 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 10 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 13 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers Essex on 13 February.

Attempted robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 15 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 15 February

Seven charges of possession of an imitation firearm relating to each of the robbery offences.

Theft of ID cards and a TV from an address in Bromley on 9 February.