A ROBBER who targeted betting shops three times in three days has been jailed for eight years and four months.

On June 21 Andrew Martinos, wearing a scarf covering his face and holding a crowbar, robbed the Betfred shop on Market Street, Farnworth then, shortly afterwards, the Betfred shop on nearby Derwent Road.

But he was caught two days later after crashing his getaway car in Bury Road, Bolton, as he fled the scene of a third robbery, again at the Market Street Betfred shop.

In total he stole just over £1,000 from the three shops in order to feed a drug addiction.

READ MORE: Knifeman's triple robbery attacks at Betfred betting shops

Martinos, who appeared in court via a video link from Forest Bank prison, held his head in his hands as The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh, passed sentence and banned him from driving for two years after he is released.

Judge Walsh told Martinos that the cashiers who were his victims were undoubtedly affected psychologically.

He told Martinos: “The terrifying nature of what happened is apparent from the video footage. Each of the robberies was the result of a degree of planning and the premises were clearly targeted.”

Marintos, aged 31, of Sportside Avenue, Walkden, had pleaded guilty to committing the robberies, possessing a knife in public and aggravated vehicle taking of the Astra, which he used as a getaway car with his accomplices who had kept watch.

During his third robbery Martinos managed to grab cashier Joshua Green and, at knifepoint, forced him to open gaming machines to get to the cash inside.

Martinos was said to have shouted: “Give me the money. Open the f***ing safe.” Mr Green told how he feared Martinos would stab him.