A MAN who stole handbags from two women within minutes of each other has admitted carrying out three robberies on the same day.

Ian Strong, from Durham, was told to expect a prison sentence after admitting to three robberies and possession of a bladed article.

The robberies happened on Thursday, July 27.

Two happened within minutes of each other, in the Gilesgate area of the city, with Strong stealing handbags from two women.

The third robbery was from a home and happened on the same day.

Strong was arrested on the same day in the Sherburn Road area of Gilesgate.

The 44-year-old, of Oswald Close, pleaded guilty to four charges when he appeared at Durham Crown Court via videolink.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, asked for an adjournment to allow time to gather personal impact statements from victims and details of the defendant’s previous offending.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the case for sentencing on October 13.

He said: “It’s only a case of how long a custodial sentence is going to be.”