A teenager who robbed fast food shops has been jailed for seven years.

Mario Madeo, 19 of Willoughby Lane, Tottenham, targeted fast food shops in Barnet and Brent.

He was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday, 8 October after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery and two counts of possessing an imitation firearm.

DC Adrian Whitewick said: "This was a planned and organised set of armed robberies. It must have been a terrifying experience for the staff that were robbed at gunpoint late at night.

“This sentence shows that the Met will act quickly to detain and bring to justice anyone those that seek to carry out such brazen attacks.”

Madeo, with a male accomplice, robbed a shop in High Road, Willesden on May 25, and was arrested while trying to rob another.

The court heard Madeo jumped over the counter of the first shop and threatened a member of staff with a handgun, before taking money from the till.

Later that night, armed police who had been called to the robbery saw Madeo and his partner on Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, and saw them rob the second shop.

As Madeo tried to flee he was arrested. Police say he was wearing a balaclava and had a gas-powered handgun and stolen cash.

The second man ran out of the fire exit at the back and escaped.

Madeo claimed he had been forced by a group of men and threatened with a gun if he didn't commit the Cricklewood robbery.

Police are still searching for Madeo’s accomplice.