A DANGEROUS robber has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Clinton Baldwin, 42, of Westmorland Road, Newcastle, was told he must spend at least seven years behind bars after being sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Monday.

The robberies took place across Newcastle and North Tyneside areas between February 13 to 23, 2017. Premises predominantly targeted were newsagents and off-licences and saw Baldwin threatening staff with a knife.

Sentencing follows Baldwin being convicted of eight counts of robbery on February 9, at Teesside Crown Court following a week-long trial.

Chief Inspector Craig Metcalfe, of Northumbria Police, said: “Baldwin was a danger to the public and this is a fantastic result. The victims have been incredibly brave during this process and we hope they, and the public, feel reassured that he is behind bars.

"We are committed to tackling such offences and we appreciate the stress and concern these types of crimes can have on communities. This sentence sends a strong message that our officers will work tirelessly to ensure offenders committing these types of crimes are put before the courts.”