Leeds crime spree robber admits city-wide knife-point raids at Greggs bakery, Cats Protection charity shop, beauty salon and newsagents

Martin Kaczmarek also targeted a hairdressers and newsagents during the offending spree at business premises.

Kaczmarek pleaded guilty to five offences of robbery, three of attempted robbery and eight offences of possessing a bladed article when he appeared before Leeds Crown Court.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported earlier this year how staff were left shocked when a masked robber threatened them with a knife and demanded cash at Spa Adelena Hair & Beauty, on Town Street, Rodley.

Kaczmarek pleaded guilty to robbery over the incident which took place on February 25.

The 40-year-old also pleaded guilty to the following offences:

Robbery at Westrow Hairdressers, Otley Road, Headingley, on February 2.

Robbery at Greggs, Kirkstall Road, Burley, on February 22.

Robbery at The Cats Protection charity shop, Otley Road, Headingley, on February 26.

Robbery at A1 News, Manston Approach, Manston, on April 2.

Attempted robbery at A1 News, Manston, on April 5.

Attempted robbery at Londis, Woodland Hill, Whitkirk, on April 5.

Attempted robbery at Stop Press newsagents, Station Road, Cross Gates, on April.5.

Kaczmarek pleaded guilty to possession on a bladed article in relation to each offence.

The offences involved him brandishing a knife and demanding cash.

The defendant appeared before the court via a video link from HMP Leeds.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC adjourned sentencing to allow time for the preparation of a report to consider if he poses serious risk of danger to the public.

The case was also adjourned so impact statements can be obtained from each of Kaczmarek's victims.

He will be sentenced on June 3 and will remain in custody until the next hearing.

The robbery at Spa Adelena took place when three staff members, aged between 19 and 20, were working in the salon.

The knife-wielding man ordered them to hand over cash.

Manager Imogen Hodson, 20, said: "He entered the salon with a knife demanding the till.

"I got up from the nail bar and showed him the empty till.

"When he realised there was no money to take he followed us into our staff room, trapped us in by standing at the door and demanded our bags and purses.

"Again, when he realised there wasn’t much money on site and he realised we were on the phone to the police he ran off and we locked the doors."

Imogen's mum, Adele Peat, has owned the salon on Town Street for 31 years.

They appealed for anyone who may recognise the suspect to come forward to police.

Imogen added: "We are all very shaken by the experience. It was a massive shock in this area.

"Nobody is hurt but the police have asked us to appeal for witnesses.

"Business is open as usual and new security measures to prevent this happening again are now in place."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said after the incident: "A man armed with a knife had threatened staff and demanded money from the till and from members of staff’s handbags.

"He took cash from one member of staff and left the premises and headed along Bagley Lane.

"He had his face partially covered but was said to have dark stubble and a greying fringe. He was wearing a dark-coloured lightweight raincoat and black jeans."