A man from Croydon has been jailed after he threatened staff with a gun at various venues in south east London during a robbery.

Dorian Rankin, 42, of Beulah Road in Thornton Heath has been sentenced to ten years in prison after he “used a firearm to threaten and intimidate innocent members of staff”.

On November 16, 2021, Rankin forcibly stole a gold necklace valued at around £10,000 from staff at a H & T Pawnbrokers in Walworth.

January 13, 2022, Rankin threatened staff at Betfred on Rye Landin Peckham with a gun.

Around a month later on February 14, 2022, Rankin struck again – this time threatening staff with a firearm at a Lloyds Bank on Sydenham Road in Sydenham.

Police launched an investigation and managed to identify Rankin as the suspect.

He was arrested and charged on August 18, 2022.

Rackin was sentenced on Thursday, January 27 at Inner London Crown Court and pleaded guilty at the same court on December 15, 2022.

He also pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified May 26, 2022 on Beulah Road in Thornton Heath and for possessing / controlling identity documents on August 18, 2022.

DC Craig Prout, of the Flying Squad, said: “Rankin is a coward who used a firearm to threaten and intimidate innocent members of staff.

“This conviction shows how seriously we treat such offending and those who choose to carry out criminal acts will be identified and convicted.

“Anyone with information about those who use weapons to rob or intimidate people can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111.

“They do not ask your name or trace your IP address.”