TWO weapon-wielding men carried out a string of robberies and then splashed their ill-gotten gains just hours later while on expensive shopping sprees.

Wayne Grant and Connor Davis targeted two petrol stations and a Southampton betting shop across a two day spree.

Just hours after the raid on the two petrol stations, the pair went on a shopping trip to Gunwarf Quays, where they splurged out on a designer watch and hundreds of pounds worth of items from JD Sports.

Yesterday the pair were jailed for a combined 17 years at Southampton Crown Court.

The court heard the pair, one carrying a knife and the other a police-style baton, carried out their first robbery at the Esso petrol station on Chickenhall Lane, Eastleigh, in the early hours of September 26, 2017.

Wearing scarves to cover their face, the pair demanded money from a staff member, who handed over between £500 and £1,000.

Less than 30 minutes later, the pair carried out another robbery at the Texaco petrol station between Botley and Hedge End.

The court heard that the staff member did not see a weapon produced, but handed over an unknown amount cash when it was demanded.

During their trial, the prosecutor Dan Saywer told the court the pair went on a shopping spree at Gunwarf Quays later that day, where they bought items from JD, Vans and a watch from Michael Kors.

Then, the following day, Grant carried out a Google search of Betfred on Aldermoor Road in Southampton.

Two hours later, the pair raided the betting shop and stole more than £3,000.

Again the pair went on a shopping spree, this time to Bournemouth, where they splashed out on £400 of clothes from JD Sport.

Both denied three counts of robbery, but were found guilty following a trial at Southampton Crown Court.

Mitigating for Grant, 27, of Byron Road, Southampton, Mark Florida James said his client, who had recently become a father, had faced a difficult upbringing.

He said Grant had recently become a father and said he was "not someone who should be written off".

Mitigating for Davis, 25, of no fixed address, Jo Chester said her client had also had a "disadvantageous start to life" and had struggled with the effects of Class A drug use.

Judge Peter Henry sentenced Grant to eight years in prison and Davies nine years custody.

He said: "These employees had done nothing wrong. They were doing their jobs and should not have had to deal with people like you coming to threaten them in this way."