A 20-year-old man has been jailed for six years after carrying out two knifepoint robberies in Epsom and Ewell last December.

Anthony Akinniranye of Manor Green Road, Epsom, admitted to the offences which took place shortly after Christmas in 2023.

The first robbery occurred on December 27 at a shop on East Street in Epsom.

Wearing a mask, Akinniranye entered the shop with a machete, threatening the staff member and demanding cash, cigarettes, and vapes.

He fled the scene, leaving behind coins, cigarette packets, and a till insert. Forensic analysis identified his DNA on the till insert, which CCTV footage had shown him holding.

The following evening on December 28, Akinniranye carried out a second robbery at a shop on Kingston Road in Ewell.

CCTV footage captured him entering the store armed and masked, using the same approach as in the first robbery.

Officers reviewing the footage identified he was wearing the same clothing as in the East Street incident.

Through CCTV connections and forensic evidence, police linked Akinniranye to both robberies.

He was later arrested and charged with two counts of robbery.

On October 30, he received a six-year prison sentence at Chichester Crown Court.

Detective Constable for East Surrey CID, Sarah Kinkade said: "Akinniranye showed a complete disregard for the financial impact his actions would have on the businesses he stole from, as well as the traumatising experience the staff members endured when he threatened them with a potentially lethal weapon. 

"Thankfully, due to his carelessness when fleeing the scene, we were able to link his DNA to a discarded item from one of the stores.

"I hope this outcome serves as a message to victims and perpetrators - these crimes will never be tolerated, and we will pursue all lines of enquiry to bring offenders to justice."