A serial armed robber who used knives, a meat cleaver, machete and a sword in a string of robberies across south London that to “satisfy a drug-debt” has been jailed.

Craig Adams, 33, of no fixed address, committed 13 robberies in just over a month.

He “victimised a disproportionate number of lone females” working in shops late at night, forcing them to hand over cash from the till, according to police.

Adams pleaded guilty to 13 counts of robbery and three counts of burglary at the Inner London Crown Court yesterday and was jailed for seven years.

Police issued two CCTV appeals to identify him, but it was a palm print lifted from Foyles Bookstore in South Bank that led to his arrest on November 5 last year.

Adams was caught red-handed after a robbery at Subway in Tulse Hill.

Police dog Bruno sniffed out the sword Adams had used to rob the sandwich chain, thrown over a nearby fence.

At his arraignment, Recorder Herbert said Adams’ offences had victimised a disproportionate number of lone females.

He added the victims had clearly suffered psychological damage as a result his actions.

PC Lucie Fish, from Lambeth CID, said: "We are satisfied with the sentence handed down today which reflects the seriousness of the offences.

“Adams's serial offending was escalating rapidly under pressure to satisfy a drug-debt he had built up while in prison.

“Adams was apprehended thanks to excellent forensic work and his other offences - which had taken place across five London boroughs - were linked by our super-recognisers.

“Our thoughts are with his victims and we trust that the sentence handed down will assist with their recovery following their ordeals.”

Adams pleaded guilty to the below robberies:

  • Burglary at L'Arche, Norwood High Street, West Norwood on October 4
  • Burglary at L'Arche, Norwood High Street, West Norwood on October 7
  • Burglary at Streatham Leisure Centre on October 7
  • Robbery at Oddbins, Kennington Lane, Kennington on October 10
  • Robbery at Oddbins, Kennington Lane, Kennington on October 14
  • Robbery at Subway, Wellesley Road, Croydon on October 15
  • Robbery at Oddbins, Balham High Road, Balham on October 18
  • Robbery at Superdrug, Majestic Way, Wimbledon on October 22
  • Robbery at Pets At Home, Old Kent Road, Peckham on October 23
  • Robbery at Superdrug, Streatham High Road, Streatham on October 24
  • Robbery at Max & Melia, Clapham Road, Kennington on October 27
  • Robbery at Foyles Bookstore, Southbank Centre, Waterloo on October 28
  • Robbery at Shoe Zone, Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre on October 28
  • Robbery at Texaco, Grove Vale, East Dulwich on November 2
  • Robbery at Price Cutters, Camberwell New Road, Camberwell on November 3
  • Robbery at Subway, Norwood Road, Tulse Hill on November 5