An armed robber who threatened shop workers with a broken paving slab and a fake gun, leaving them in “genuine fear for their lives”, has been jailed.

Karl Kaynar targeted two businesses in Swanley last year – holding a kitchen knife to the back of one store assistant and threatening another that he would harm them with acid.

At around 9.40pm on March 23, 2024, Kaynar entered Domino’s Pizza in the high street with what appeared to be a firearm.

He demanded staff hand over money and, after climbing over a counter, pulled open a cash drawer and stole around £400.

During the ordeal, he shouted threats to shoot and kill people, warning: “Do you want to die?”

The next day, at around 6.30am, he targeted the Asda Express petrol station in London Road.

He threatened employees with a knife and a broken paving slab, and warned one worker he would throw acid in their face. He left the scene on foot after stealing thousands of pounds worth of cash.

Police arrested Kaynar the next day and searches close to the crime scenes led to the recovery of the handgun he had used, which was identified as being an air weapon.

A bag he carried during the Asda robbery was seized from an address linked to him in the town. A knife was also found on a bed.

The 42-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to two counts of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, and possession of a knife in a public place.

He also admitted additional theft and drug offences, as well as a further armed robbery, on March 22, which was investigated by the Metropolitan Police.

Yesterday (October 15), he was sentenced to a total of nine years and four months’ imprisonment, already having spent 18 months on remand.

He will also have to serve a further 86 days after breaching a suspended sentence, and on his release from prison he will be subject to an additional licence period of four years.

Detective Constable Rosie Acton said: “Kaynar’s actions left his victims in genuine fear for their lives.

“The gun he used may not have been a genuine firearm, however, it certainly looked very real.

“He also held a kitchen knife to the back of a shop assistant and made chilling threats to another victim they would be maimed with acid.

“There is little doubt that had Kaynar not been quickly identified and arrested, he would have gone on to target further victims, and I do hope that our successful investigation and the fact that he is now behind bars serving a lengthy sentence provides some reassurance to those who live and work in Swanley.”