A MAN has been charged after threatening 'innocent' staff in two separate Lidl stores just weeks after being released from prison. 

Police were called to reports of a man with a knife at both Lidl Rosehill and Lidl in Morden last month.

On December 1, Jamie Ludlow entered the first store on Green Wrythe Lane in an attempt to 'purchase alcohol'.

Merton Police said that a cashier tried to assist Ludlow, but was 'quickly met with a threat to stab him’ in a bid to steal money from the till.

In a quick response, the cashier pushed Ludlow over, who then ran out of the store and headed towards Morden Town Centre.

In a second attempt to steal money from the supermarket chain, Ludlow walked into the Morden branch with 'malicious intent'.

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Ludlow then targeted a female cashier and pushed her away so he could steal money from the open till draw.

It was reported that Ludlow 'whipped out' a knife from his waistband after being challenged by members of staff.

He then fled the scene but was later caught through CCTV and local enquiries and was charged and remanded on December 3, 2020.

He pleaded guilty to attempt robbery, possession of a bladed article, and robbery on January 4.

T/DC Jones was the officer in this case, he said: “Ludlow is a prolific and violent offender, who had been released from prison only a matter of weeks prior to this incident.

"He has targeted innocent employees of a supermarket, who were not expecting to be robbed during their working day.

"His conviction for these offences will hopefully result in a lengthy prison sentence, which will safeguard the community of Merton, and allow Jamie to get the help that he needs in order to stop offending”.