A man was jailed for four years today after admitting three armed offences.

Jaymes Lang, 23 of Snowdrop Close, Witham, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.

He admitted aggravated burglary at The Sun Inn, Feering, on April 14, robbery at the Co-op in Bocking on April 22 and attempted robbery at a Ladbrokes betting shop in Witham on April 12.

Det Con Christine Rhodes, of Braintree CID, said: "Lang carried out three serious armed offences in just over a week and put his distressed victims in fear of their lives.

"Three female customers were assaulted during the burglary at the pub.

"They had knives held to their necks and were pulled by the hair as Lang and an accomplice forced them and members of staff into the kitchen while they tried to steal cash and valuables.

"He is a ruthless criminal and we are delighted that members of the public have helped CID and uniformed officers to lock him up out of harm’s way.”

* Full story in Thursday's Times.