A MASKED armed robber who targeted the same kebab shop in two knife point attacks over three days has been jailed for ten years.

Mark McCormack was convicted of stealing cash from the Casa Rosa Kebab Shop in Gateshead in the raids last summer.

The first robbery was on August 27 when the 31-year-old entered the takeaway on Durham Road wearing a skull mask balaclava.

He threatened staff with a ten inch kitchen knife before making off with about £200.

Three days later McCormack walked onto the forecourt of a nearby Jet garage wearing the same mask and threatened a customer with a knife.

Newcastle Crown Court was told how the victim was able to get into their vehicle and the robber fled the scene empty handed.

But just minutes later McCormack burst into the same kebab shop he had robbed just days before and again threatened staff with the knife.

He was able to make off with about £800 in cash before he ran away and staff contacted police.

Armed officers were sent to the area and within hours McCormack was in custody after being arrested at an address in Birtley.

He was later charged with two counts of robbery and an armed robbery but denied the offences against him.

In February, McCormack, of George Street, Birtley, was convicted by a jury of all the offences against him and on Wednesday he was sent to prison.

Detective Constable Craig Austin has said the robberies were “terrifying experiences” for the victims of McCormack’s attacks, adding: “There is no place for this type of mindless violence in society.”