Armed robber’s face is a picture when he’s greeted by police after ringing doorbell

A robber who threatened workers in three different shops with a knife got a major shock when he went to a friend’s house afterwards.

Jack Holland-Batt went to a pharmacy, amusements arcade and a shop in Gillingham and asked staff members for cash out of the tills at knifepoint.

He phoned police and admitted to his crimes, but didn’t tell officers where he was.

So Kent Police went straight to a home he ‘frequented’ and arrested him as he rang the doorbell – giving him the shock of his life.

Holland-Batt, 31, went on his spree on November 25 of last year, starting at a pharmacy in Canterbury Street.

After being threatened with a knife a staff member gave him £20 from the till. Holland-Batt demanded more cash, but when the employee said there wasn’t any more cash available he left.

He was not expecting police to answer the door (Picture: Kent Police)

Next he went to an amusement arcade in Green Street, pulling a knife from his waistband and threatening an employee with it.

Holland-Batt demanded cash from the safe, but when he was told there wasn’t any he left.

He tried his tactic again at another shop in the High Street. The distressed shop worker went to a back room to get the keys for the till, but by the time she returned, he’d already left.

He was swiftly arrested (Picture: Kent Police)

After being surprised by Kent Police officers, Holland-Batt gave a fake name but he was still arrested.

Police bodycam footage, as well as video from the home’s doorbell camera, captured the exact moment he knew he’d been nicked.

He pleaded guilty to two robberies, one attempted robbery and possessing a bladed article in a public place, and Holland-Batt has now been sentenced to six years in prison.

He’s now been sent to prison for six years (Picture: Kent Police)

Detective Constable Emma Laimbeer, said: ‘This criminal pulled a knife on three people who feared they were in real danger of being stabbed.

‘His reprehensible actions led to a swift response by local officers who tracked him down to a town centre address.

‘Nobody should suffer violence whilst at work and I would like to thank the victims who assisted our investigation and ensured this criminal has been brought to justice.’

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