An armed robber who threatened to kill a bank worker before stealing discontinued £20 notes was arrested within 10 minutes of him calling police to confess.

Roy Sinclair threatened the Dartford High Street employee with a knife, before helping himself to money from a till back in February.

The 43-year-old handed himself in to Kent Police two days later and went on to admit robbery and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. When arrested, he was wearing what appeared to be the same hooded top he had on when he carried out the raid.

He was jailed for five years and four months at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday and will be the subject of a two-year extended licence when he is eventually released from prison.

Sinclair went into Lloyds Bank at around 3pm on Friday, February 4 and was seen by members of staff walking around the premises with no apparent purpose.

When a cashier called to offer help, he walked behind their counter, pulled out a knife, and held it close to their body. He then demanded money and said "no alarms or I’ll kill you."

The victim opened their till and Sinclair helped himself to cash before fleeing on foot. But the cash he'd taken consisted of discontinued £20 bank notes.

Two days later, he phoned police and confessed to what he'd done during a conversation with a call handler.

Officers were sent to arrest him and he has been held on remand since. The time between the call handler answering and officers detaining Sinclair was under 10 minutes.

The hooded jumper he was wearing at the time of his arrest matched what he wore on the date of the offence. A pair of green jogging bottoms, which were worn when the robbery was committed, were also found at his home address at Otterden Street, Sydenham.

PC Emma Laimbeer, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: "The victim of this case had every good reason to believe their life was in danger and I am pleased we have now secured justice for them.

"Although Sinclair admitted the offence, it does not in any way undo the harm he has caused and the only proportionate outcome is for him to receive this custodial sentence.

"We will never show any tolerance towards anyone who chooses to use violence against innocent members of the public."

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