A violent robber who threatened victims with a knife and then used their bank cards to pay for football trials and online goods has been jailed.

Micheal Ludia, 19, of Byworth Walk, Upper Holloway, was sentenced to five years and six months in jail at Blackfriars Crown Court on Friday (July 29).

He was found guilty at the same court on June 30 of committing six robberies – in relation to five incidents involving six victims last summer – and nine frauds.

Ludia would threaten people at knife point while covering his face, forcing them to hand over phones and wallets.

The Judge Recorder R Thacker, upon sentencing Ludia, said: “You have caused the victims great distress and psychological harm and caused great fear for individuals to do simple matters like going out.”

In three of the cases, in Clifton Road, Highgate, on June 16, in Whitehall Park, Archway, on July 8 and in Archway Road on July 17, he targeted a 25-year-old man who was on his own.

A man and a woman, both aged 37, were attacked in Crouch Hill on July 27 with the man being pinned down with a blade pressed against his throat by Ludia and an unknown accomplice.

The final victim was a 31-year-old man in Woodstock Road, Finsbury Park on August 30.

Police arrested Ludia on September 23 and launched an investigation which found various online purchases using the victims’ bank cards.

Officers discovered he paid for football trials and used personal details to book the sessions.

Detective Constable Shane Jenkinson, from Islington’s robbery squad, said: “This was extremely frightening for the wider community. I want to reassure them that we take all robberies seriously and have worked hard to bring this man to justice.”

Detective Constable Steve Acott, who led this investigation, said: “I would like to praise the victims for their bravery, resilience and courage for coming forward and reporting these offences.”