An unemployed teenager has been charged with armed robbery in connection with two incidents at bookmakers.

Eighteen-year-old Jay Connelly, of Magdalen Street, Colchester, has been charged with two counts of robbery relating to Corals bookmakers, in the Willows, on Thursday, January 2, and at Ladbroke’s in Bourne Road on Saturday, January 18.

He has also been charged with one count of possession of a firearm.

Police arrested Connelly at around 8am yesterday in Magdalen Street.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Colchester Magistrates Court today.