A man appeared in court this week charged with 12 attempted robbery and robbery offences on bookmakers in Sutton, Croydon and south London.

Joseph Williams, 51, of no fixed abode was charged at Tower Bridge Magistrates' Court with the following offences: - Robbery at William Hill, Stafford Road, Wallington and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on January 28.

- Robbery at Paddy Power, Woodcote Road, Wallington on February 24.

- Attempted Robbery at Coral, Nunhead Green, SE15 on February 26.

- Attempted Robbery at William Hill, Kirkwood Road, SE15 and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on February 26.

- Robbery at BetFred, London Road, Thornton Heath and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on March 27.

- Robbery at Paddy Power, Woodcote Road, Wallington and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on May 1.

- Robbery at William Hill, Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on May 13.

- Robbery at William Hill, London Road, Wallington and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on May 28.

- Attempted Robbery at William Hill, Thornton Road, Thornton Heath and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on May 29.

- Robbery at Paddy Power, Woodcote Road, Wallington and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on May 31.

- Robbery at Paddy Power, Woodcote Road, Wallington and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on June 26.

- Robbery at Coral, Bromley Hill, Bromley and possession of firearm with intent to commit a Schedule 1 offence on June 30.