A masked robber who threatened Tesco staff with a hammer and left with a till full of money has admitted the crime.

Iain Banks, 31, of Edmund Road, Grays, Essex, pleaded guilty to robbing the Tesco Express store in Front Lane, Cranham, on April 18 when he appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

He had been arrested by Essex Police the previous day.

While appearing in court, Banks also pleaded guilty to robberies at another two Tesco Express stores in Chafford, Essex, and a Coral bookmakers in Grays.

Last month, police released CCTV images of the 31-year-old carrying out the robbery at the Cranham store, in a bid to track him down.

He arrived at the supermarket shortly before 5.45pm on April 18 and threatened staff with a hammer, before leaving with a till full of money.

It is not known how much money was taken from the store.

Banks has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on June 8.