A Thornton Heath man has been branded a ‘coward’ by detectives after he was jailed for ten years  for threatening staff with a firearm during a series of robberies.

Dorian Rankin, 42, of Beulah Road,  committed three robberies, two of them while he was armed with a handgun.

The first offence took place on November 16 2021 when Rankin forcible stole a gold necklace valued at around £10,000 from staff at H & T Pawnbroker on the Walworth Road in Southwark.

On  January 13, 2022 – armed with a handgun – Rankin stole a quantity of cash after threatening staff at the bookmaker Betfred,  on Rye Lane in Peckham. 

Around a month later on 14 February 2022, Rankin struck again – this time threatening staff with a firearm at Lloyds Bank in Sydenham.

He was sentenced on Thursday,  (January 27) at Inner London Crown Court after he  pleaded guilty at the same court on December 15 .

He admitted  the robberies and two counts of possessing a firearm/imitation firearm and driving whilst disqualified on  May 26 on Beulah Road, Thornton Heath; along with  possession of false identity documents with intent on August 18.

Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad launched an investigation and managed to identify Rankin as the suspect. He was arrested on  August 18 and charged.

DC Craig Prout, of the Flying Squad, said: “Rankin is a coward who used a firearm to threaten and intimidate innocent members of staff. This conviction shows how seriously we treat such offending and those who choose to carry out criminal acts will be identified and convicted.

“Anyone with information about those who use weapons to rob or intimidate people can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111. They do not ask your name or trace your IP address.”