Sheldon Green, 27, from Graham Road in Dalston, Hackney, used a stolen Yamaha motorbike to move around, committing the crimes at commercial premises in East London.

A biker who carried out a spate of armed robberies has been jailed for five years.

Sheldon Green, 27, from Graham Road in Dalston used a stolen Yamaha motorbike to move around committing the crimes at commercial premises in East London.

Barking Flying Squad launched a special operation called Wulk last September, following three armed robberies within a month.

He admitted stealing the Yamaha bike on July 16 2012, after arranging to meet its seller via free classified ads website Gumtree.

Mr Green also pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery on August 15 2012 at 8.30pm at Pretoria Stores, in Pretoria Avenue, Walthamstow.

The shopkeeper heard a loud noise and looked up to see Mr Green dressed in motorcycle gear, who asked for a bottle of whiskey.

When the shopkeeper turned back, Mr Green was pointing a pistol at him and demanded he open the till.

The shopkeeper said he did not know how and ran to the back to the store and Mr Green then made off.

Mr Green also pleaded guilty to robbery on September 14 2012 at 8.20pm at the Maybank Mini-Mart in Ilford:

The store owner was closing up when a man on a motorbike said he wanted to buy something.

The owner went back inside and the suspect followed him demanding cash, before pulling out a gun and pointing it at the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper handed over £200 and Mr Green made off.

Mr Green also pleaded guilty to a robbery on September 17 2012 at 10.45pm at the Co-Op, Waldram Park Road in Forest Hill, when he entered the store armed with a gun and threatened staff he would shoot them if they didn’t hand over money.

The shop assistant handed over £145 and he fled.

Mr Green had also pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of an imitation firearm.

Mr Green pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of an imitation firearm on March 19, along with the four robbery offences and was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday (April 19) with several other matters taken into consideration.