A ROBBER armed with a hypodermic syringe has been warned to expect a 'substantial' jail term after admitting the offences.

Keith Whitfield appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

The 48-year-old of Botley Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and another count of having an article with a blade or point.

Both offences took place on September 8 this year.

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Whitfield robbed two men of four packs of meat and was also caught with the syringe at a supermarket, described in court as the 'Co Op Littlemore.'

After the guilty pleas had been entered his defence barrister asked to adjourn the case so that further information and reports could be obtained about him.

Presiding Judge Maria Lamb agreed to adjourn the case and she remanded Whitfield in custody to await that hearing.

She warned that the offence could merit a 'substantial custodial sentence.'

She said: "It's likely the reports will go to the question of how long he should be remanded in custody rather than the type [of sentence]."

Whitfield will appear again at the same court for sentencing on October 29.