Three Bradford teenagers are to go on trial in connection with a string of armed robberies across the district in which thousands of pounds were stolen from bookmakers, supermarkets and off-licences.

Luke Rubery, 18, of Harewood Street, Barkerend , Joshua Lacey, also 18, of Stone Acre Court , West Bowling , and a 17-year-old boy, were arrested on Saturday and charged with conspiracy to rob.

Rubery and the 17-year-old were remanded in custody, while Lacey was granted bail, after a hearing at Bradford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Police first arrested Lacey and the 17-year-old, then raided an address in Heath Hall Avenue, Bierley , before arresting Rubery.

It follows eight robberies between July 13 and August 24, involving more than £3,000 in total. Weapons including a knife and an axe were allegedly used.

Ladbrokes in Allerton Road, Allerton, was the first premises to be hit on July 13. This was followed by a raid on an off-licence on Thornton Road, on August 7. Then five days later, on the 12th, Coral bookmakers, on Market Street in Thornton, was also hit. On August 16 Ladbrokes, in Ovenden Road, Halifax, was raided. This was followed four days later by BetFred in Tong Street and on the same day the Co-op in Allerton Road, Allerton, was also raided.

On August 22, the Co-op in Cullingworth was hit, followed by the Tesco Express in Haworth Road, Heaton on August 24.

After the double raid on August 20 the Telegraph & Argus reported how detectives investigating the two armed attacks believed they could be linked.

Rubery, Lacey and the 17-year-old are due to appear at Bradford Crown Court on September 10, for a preliminary hearing ahead of a future trial.