AN armed robber from Arnos Grove who carried out a raid on a petrol station in Enfield has been jailed for seven years.

Avgoustie Avgoustie, 49, was caught on CCTV as he produced an imitation gun at Lavender Hill service station and demanded money from the till before threatening to set the petrol station on fire.

He at first posed as a customer before revealing the weapon, and fled the scene when the cashier handed over the takings.

Police began investigating the raid, on May 2, at the petrol station in The Ridgeway, and soon tracked Avgoustie to his home in Caradoc Evans Close where he was arrested.

After further investigation, the robber was linked to a similar raid two days earlier at a Santander bank in The Strand, in central London. On this occasion, he tried to force his way into the secure area but failed and left empty handed.

When arrested, officers from the Flying Squad found the clothes Avgoustie had worn during the second robbery as well as the imitation gun in the boot of his car.

Avgoustie admitted at Snaresbrook Crown Court robbery, attempted robbery, and possession of an imitation firearm, and was today jailed for seven years.