A robber who raided four shops in three days is facing a lengthy spell behind bars.

Joseph Tullett, of no fixed address, was armed with an imitation gun at three of the robberies.

He first struck at clothing store For Girlys in Stone Street, Gravesend, on April 30 and robbed shop assistant Deborah Bryndcorr of £50 cash.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 28-year-old was armed with a Webley 8mm pistol when he raided a Co-op store in Pattens Lane, Chatham, on the same day. On that occasion he robbed a cashier of £200.

Tullett struck for the third time at William Hill bookmakers in Ordnance Street, Chatham, on May 1. He was again armed with the same imitation gun and fled with £305.

The final armed raid occurred on May 2 when he robbed Karsons Chemist in City Way, Rochester, of £90.

Tullett admitted four offences of robbery and three of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

It had been alleged Tullett was armed with a vegetable knife during the For Girlys robbery.

However, his plea of not guilty to having an offensive weapon on April 30 was accepted by the prosecution. The charge is likely to be left on the court file when he is sentenced next month.

The court was told on Friday that Tullett has previous convictions for 26 offences, including several for burglary.

Judge David Griffith-Jonescorr QC said he was “troubled by his significant escalation in offending” and adjourned the hearing for reports to consider whether Tullett fulfills strictly-defined sentencing criteria in terms of his “dangerousness”.

However, as Tullett was being led from the courtroom dock down to the cells he remarked: “I don’t understand how I can be called a violent offender when I haven’t even had a common assault.”