LUKE O’Brien, who held up three businesses with a knife last month, pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and two counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place, at Swindon Crown Court yesterday (FRI).

The 24-year-old, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from HMP Bristol and admitted his role in the robberies at McDonald’s in Great Western Way on May 9, Co-operative Food in Moredon Road on May 11 and Juniper Stores in Marigold Close on May 13.

The fourth offence involved 65-year-old Jennifer Legg, whom he also robbed on May 13.

He will be sentenced on July 4.