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CHARGED: Joe Williams

A MAN who committed 11 armed robberies in betting shops across south London was sentenced to 12 years in prison today (Sept 19).

The court heard how 57-year-old Joe Williams, a serving prisoner on day release, entered betting shops with a spanner and a paint brush - taped together and wrapped in a carrier bag to look like a gun and threatened to shoot terrified staff if they did not hand over cash, it has been reported.

Williams, who was allowed out of HMP Blantyre House in Kent to work as a lorry driver, stole £3,360 from betting shops across South London and Surrey between February and June 30 last year.

Williams,whose original convictions are not known, was convicted of eight counts of robbery, three attempted robberies, and nine counts of possessing an imitation firearm after a week-long trial at the Old Bailey last month.

He has now been moved to the medium-security HMP Elmley in Kent after being recalled on licence.

Det Chief Insp Paul Johnson of the Tower Bridge Flying Squad: "This conviction is the result of a meticulous and thorough investigation by officers from the Flying Squad.

"There is no doubt that Williams is a dangerous man who presented a real threat to the safety of the public in general and to betting shop staff and customers in particular," he added.