A robber who threatened a man for a can of Coca Cola before terrorising two shop workers has been jailed for eight years.

Layton Hynes travelled to Ferryhill on the evening of March 12 this year and approached his first victim in Main Street, punching him before taking the soft drink and loose coins from him.

About 20 minutes later, the 19-year-old, of Middlesborough then entered an off licence and threatened two staff before making off with alcohol, a hearing at Teesside Crown Court was told.

But not being satisfied with two robberies, the teenager returned to the store again and committed a third after barging behind the till area to steal yet more alcohol.

Hynes was arrested after officers reviewed CCTV and despite giving a no comment interview, was charged and remanded to court.

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Detective Sergeant Phillip Stainthorpe, who led the investigation, said: “Hynes’ actions were despicable and left a lasting impact on his victims, who we hope can now start to recover from their ordeal.

“We do not know why he travelled to our area but we will always do everything we can to catch criminals of his ilk and bring them to justice.”