A 22-year-old man is to be sentenced next month after he admitted carrying out an armed robbery on a town centre bookmakers.

IPSWICH: A 22-year-old man is to be sentenced next month after he admitted carrying out an armed robbery on a town centre bookmakers.

Jamie McCleary, of Geneva Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to robbing Ladbrokes, in Carr Street, on January 12.

McCleary now faces a prison sentence for stealing little more than �100 in what was said at the time to be a knifepoint hold-up.

He has been remanded in custody following his plea and case management hearing at the crown court.

McCleary's case has now been warned for sentencing in the week commencing March 1.

Shortly after the incident, police said the robbery occurred when a man, who was reported to be carrying a knife, threatened a cashier at the shop before fleeing with cash.

The incident occurred at around 5.10pm.

McCleary was alleged to have leaned over the counter, grabbed some money and fled the bookmakers.

No-one was hurt during the incident, but the cashier was said to have been shaken by her ordeal.

Police were called and statements were taken from witnesses. It is not known how many people were inside the premises at the time.

Scenes of crime staff from Suffolk Constabulary were also sent to gather any forensics to help with the inquiry.

McCleary is thought to have been seen by the town's closed circuit television cameras as he left the area.

He is believed to have been arrested at his home address around an hour-an-a-half after the incident.

McCleary was taken to Ipswich police station where he interviewed about the robbery.

He was subsequently charged with the offence and appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on January 14.

The case was committed to Ipswich Crown Court during that hearing.