A knife-wielding robber who targeted shops in Basildon was caught by police because of his distinctive mobile phone.

Russell Toye was also linked to the robberies after forensics found seven fingerprints belonging to him on a carrier bag he had left at the scene.

Toye, 39 and of no fixed address, targeted the Post Office in Whitmore Way on November 30 last year and Martin’s Newsagents in Felmores End on March 13 this year.

On both occasions, he threatened staff inside with a knife and demanded they had over money making off with a total of about £1,100 worth of cash and cigarettes.

Four other incidents have also been taken into consideration.

When he had gone into one of the stores, he had taken his phone out of his pocket and appeared to talk on it moments before leaving and then returning to carry out the robbery.

When he was arrested, the phone was seized from his possessions.

Police said the distinctive orange colour of his phone meant he was easily linked to the robbery.

Toye admitted he was responsible for both robberies when interviewed following his arrest in April this year.

He was charged and at Basildon Crown Court on September 6 he admitted two counts of robbery and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

At the same court on Monday, he was jailed for six years and four months, with a further three years on extended licence.

Investigating officer PC David Love, from Basildon CID, said: “Nobody should be made to feel afraid in their place of work but Russell Toye did just that to the staff of these shops.

“Armed with a knife, he threatened them and his actions have had a lasting impact on them.

“He will now spend the foreseeable future behind bars and Essex is safer for this.”