An axe-wielding robber who raided a bookmakers and post offices has been jailed.

Michael McClusky, 31, from Abbey Wood, London, was sentenced on Thursday May 30 to 10 years in prison with an extended license at Woolwich Crown Court, after he pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery.

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

The first offence took place on January 30 at 8pm, when two men raided a bookmakers in Avenue Road, Bexley - smashing through the glass window separating the staff from customers, and putting an axe to a staff member’s throat, before stealing over £2,000 in cash along with cheque books and keys to the fruit machines.

The next took place on February 5 at 11.20am at a post office in Southfleet Road, Bean, where two men entered the store before being confronted by a staff member - who was hit with an axe handle and punched.

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 third incident - just 28 minuted later at approximately 11.48am a post office in Forest Road, Erith, was targeted - with two men again entering the store with axes and demanding money.

Tills were emptied and the men left when the panic alarm was pressed and were chased by a member of staff and who saw them get it to a red vehicle which was parked in Cedar Road.

Shortly after the last incident the getaway vehicle was spotted by Kent police officers, and made off when they attempted to stop it. The car was lost and shortly after two men were seen by officers at Priory Road, looking out of breath and talking to a taxi driver.

When officers parked up to speak to them, the men ran off, but one - identified as McClusky - was detained and arrested for robbery.

A cheque taken from the till of Erith post office had then been found in McClusky's bag when he was arrested; while a black baseball cap seen to be worn by suspects in CCTV of the raids, was identical to the baseball cap found down McClusky’s trousers when he was arrested.

McClusky’s blood was also located at both the Avenue Road and Forest Road robberies, and he was charged with three counts of robbery on February 7.

Detective Sergeant Ian Barnard of 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 sees 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”.

McClusky’s sentence will see him serve seven years imprisonment and a further seven years on license.

A 32-year-old arrested on February 20 was released under investigation.

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