A man has been jailed for a string of robberies on bookmakers in north London.

Darren Maudner, 41, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Harrow Crown Court on August 12.

The court heard how Maudner, of Goddard Drive, Bushey, entered the bookies on College Hill Road, Harrow, on May 31.

He loitered for around 20 minutes before demanding the cashier empty the drawers of money, and made off with a quantity of cash.

A subsequent examination of CCTV showed Maudner to be in possession of what appeared to be a firearm, although this was later discovered to be a tool used to repair engines that had been converted to look like a gun.

On June 4, Maudner went into a bookmaker on Court Parade, Wembley, and approached a member of staff, placing the imitation firearm on the counter. Despite telling the cashier to empty the drawers, he made off without claiming any cash.

The CCTV footage recovered from the scene enabled detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad to launch a media appeal. As a result, Maudner handed himself in to police on June 13.

Detectives were then able to link him to three further robberies in Harrow, Hayes and Greenford.

He was charged with five counts of robbery and four counts of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Maudner pleaded guilty to all nine offences at Harrow Crown Court on July 12, and was sentenced a month later.

Detective Constable John Richards of the Met's Flying Squad said: "I would firstly like to thank the media for publicising our appeal.

"I am sure this was the reason Maudner was persuaded to hand himself him in to police.

"As for Maudner, he is a man who used the threat of a gun to intimidate and rob. The seriousness of his crimes is reflected in his sentence."

Maudner was also put on an extended licence of four years.