A MAN who threatened staff with a knife during a four-day robbery spree at shops in Leeds has been jailed for six years.

Joshua Felton, age 24, of Gipton Gate West, Harehills, targeted stores in the east of the city, taking goods from displays and then brandishing a knife when staff tried to stop him leaving.

He appeared at Leeds Crown Court for sentencing yesterday after pleading guilty at an earlier date.

Felton carried out the robberies between October 30 and November 2 last year.

His first was at Tesco Express on Selby Road, Halton, where he took boxes of chocolates and went to leave the shop but was stopped by a member of staff who took the goods from him.

He produced a kitchen knife and went towards the staff member, before cycling away from the shop.

The next morning Felton targeted the B&M store on Stile Hill Way, Colton, brandishing a knife to scare off staff as he stole washing detergent.

Later that day, he also stole a jacket from Matalan on Selby Road, Halton.

He returned to the same Matalan store the next day and stole another jacket, again brandishing his knife.

Later that day, he targeted Asda on Harehills Lane, entering the store, filling a basket with items and leaving without paying, threatening staff with a knife on his exit.

On November 2 he returned to the same Matalan store, selected two items of clothing, and left with the same threats made.

Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of Leeds CID said: “We are pleased with the sentence handed to Felton today as this is a significant result following the diligent detective work done by Leeds CID last year.

“We hope that the staff members, businesses, and the local community who have suffered as a result of Felton’s repeated offending feel reassured that he will now have a lengthy spell in prison to consider his actions.

“This was a frightening ordeal for those involved and we hope this sentence serves as a warning to others of how seriously police and the courts view offences of this nature."