A man who used a gun and claw hammer wore a skeleton mask to terrorise victims during three armed raids in just over a week, a court has heard.

Eastern Daily Press: CCTV capture of armed burglar attempting to rob Larkman Lane's Kwik Save storeCCTV capture of armed burglar attempting to rob Larkman Lane's Kwik Save store (Image: Archant)

Michael Roode, 39, wore the mask when he burst into a home, together with others, in Theobald Road, Norwich, armed with a large silver handgun.

Roode pointed the gun at the homeowner who answered the door before forcing her into the lounge where her five-year-old granddaughter was.

The child asked the man not to "hurt her nanny" before a second man, wearing a bandana across his face came in.

Norwich Crown Court heard Roode went upstairs to a bedroom where the victim's son was playing on his Xbox.

Eastern Daily Press: The road sign for Larkman Lane where the Kwik Save which was targetting in an armed robbery isThe road sign for Larkman Lane where the Kwik Save which was targetting in an armed robbery is (Image: Archant)

The victim was grabbed around the neck and had a gun held to his neck before being hit on his head and ankle.

They demanded money and he was forced downstairs at gunpoint.

Money was taken from his wallet and his mother's purse before they left following the robbery at about 7.30pm on January 9 this year.

Less than two hours later, at about 9.10pm, Roode entered the Kwik Save store on Larkman Lane, Norwich once more wearing a skeleton mask, holding a handgun and a claw hammer.

Eastern Daily Press: The road sign for Theobald Road, where an aggravated robbery took place at a residential propertyThe road sign for Theobald Road, where an aggravated robbery took place at a residential property (Image: Archant)

No items were stolen as he was unable to get into the till after the store owner put up a fight before fleeing through the back door and calling police.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said the incident came days after Roode, together with others, raided the Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant in Attleborough.

Again, workers were threatened with a handgun and a claw hammer, before the attackers got away with £300 from the till.

Roode, formerly of Motum Road, Norwich, but now of Bedford Prison, was given an extended sentence of 10 years custody and five years on licence on Tuesday (August 27) after being assessed as a dangerous offender by Judge Anthony Bate.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Roode. PIC: Norfolk Police.Michael Roode. PIC: Norfolk Police. (Image: Archant)

He had previously admitted his part in two armed robberies and an attempted armed robbery.

Judge Bate said that only Roode knew if the gun he used in the robberies was "real or not" and described him as a "very significant risk of serious harm to the public".

John Morgans, mitigating, said Roode accepted "full responsibility" for what he had done and now realised he had caused "significant pain and harm" as a result of his actions.