A WIRRAL man is due to appear in court this morning accused with carrying out a series of knifepoint raids across the borough.

Karl Armstrong, of Highfield South, Birkenhead, has been charged with three counts of robbery and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

This is in connection with incidents at Bargain Booze, Hoylake, on Sunday, February 23, Bargain Booze, Heswall on Sunday, February 16 and Simply Food & Drinks, Oxton on Wednesday, February 12.

The raids, which all took place between 8.30pm and 9pm, all saw a masked man enter the shops and threaten staff with a knife before demanding cash, cigarettes and tobacco.
 

The 44-year-old will appear at Wirral Magistrates Court is morning.

A 44-year-old woman from Birkenhead was also arrested in connection with the raids, as well as in connection with an attempted robbery on the Betfred store in Conway Street on February 10.

She has been released on bail pending further enquiries.