A MAN who stole approximately £700 worth of cash and cigarettes in a spree of shop robberies in Sandown has been jailed for four years.

Craig Nathan Knowles, 35, of no fixed address, was charged with three counts of robbery after he entered a shop three times across three days and made demands as he threatened staff.

The Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Friday) heard how the three robberies all occurred at the same Central Store on Avenue Road on November 19, November 27 and December 16 last year.

Judge Susan Evans heard how Knowles was arrested following his third robbery.

He later pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court on March 23.