An armed robber jailed for a series of raids that netted more than £36,000 has been ordered to repay £1 – and given 28 days to cough up.

Duncan Snape was part of a masked gang that targeted newsagents across Kent over several months.

Wielding axes, sledgehammers or baseball bats, Snape and Robert Powsey used cables to tie up terrified staff before making off with the takings.

The pair used fake northern, southern and Irish accents during the robberies in an effort to throw police off the scent.

Snape, 41, from south west London, denied conspiracy to rob but was convicted and jailed for 14 years.

He was said to have benefited from his crimes to the sum of £37,749.

But because Snape has no assets, judge Martin Joy imposed a nominal £1 confiscation order.

The judge warned that if Snape’s circumstances changed, such as winning the lottery, he would be liable to pay the benefit sum.

Snape replied: “I could sir, if I played the lottery.”

Powsey, 42, of Peacock Rise, Walderslade, admitted the offence and was jailed for nine years and nine months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the pair were caught after Snape took his balaclava off outside one of the stores and was captured on a CCTV camera.

The robberies took place at:

McColls in Admirals Walk, Chatham, on March 5 and April 29, 2012

Leander Drive, Gravesend, on March 31 and March 3 this year

Singleton Post Office, Ashford, on February 11 this year

Orion Road, Rochester, on December 12 last year

Martin’s, Martin Square, Larkfield, on March 11 this year

The Row, New Ash Green, Longfield, on December 12 last year

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