A Dover man is facing a possible life sentence after admitting to a double robbery in Canterbury City Centre in August.

Dean Richards pleaded guilty to five charges, including robbery and wounding, when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court.

Now Judge Adele Williams has ordered the 33-year-old, from London Road, Dover, undergo psychiatric examinations before returning to court for sentencing next year.

She told Richards’ barrister Simon Taylor that depending on the psychiatrist’s conclusions as to the future risks posed by the knifeman he faced a possible life sentence, with a minimum 16-year tariff before he can be considered for parole.

Or alternatively he will receive a 17 year extended prison sentence – which includes an immediate 12-year jail term.

That will be followed by an extra five years on licence when the defendant is released after serving at least two-thirds of the sentence.

Richards pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Canterbury, two charges of robbing a 19-year-old man and woman aged 18, and two charges of wounding them with intent.

A sixth charge of assaulting a woman, which allegedly happened earlier in the evening, will be put to the defendant in February next year when he is sentenced.

The two victims were stabbed by Richards after he stopped them and brandished a knife and demanding money near the St George’s Street subway.

The teenagers, who fled to the cinema seeking help, were later taken to hospital and treated for leg and stomach wounds, but were released later.

Richards was remanded in custody.