A “ruthless and violent” man who threatened bank staff with a sawn-off shotgun to steal £34,000 was yesterday jailed indefinitely.

Trevor Hayes, pictured, of Leaver Road, Henley, went into the Barclays Bank in Watlington on January 6 wearing a balaclava.

Oxford Crown Court heard how the 46-year-old used the gun to threaten a cashier and demanded she put money into a black bag. He told staff they had to open the interior doors, or else a customerwould “get it”, before making off in a van with £34,000.

Hayes was also sentenced for an armed robbery on November 8, 2010, at Checkendon Post Office, near Wallingford.

The court heard how he pushed the shotgun into the back of a customer before stealing around £14,000.

On two other occasions, Hayes threatened drivers with the gun in a lay-by on the A404, Bisham Village, Maidenhead. In the second incident on January 3 he used the gun to steal a silver Ford Transit van.

The van was used in the bank robbery and later found burnt out in Watlington, along with the gun and live ammunition.

Hayes, who admitted three charges of robbery, three of possession of a firearm, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent and one of arson, was given an indeterminate sentence and will not be released for at least seven-and-a-half years.

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Joe Kidman said: “Trevor Hayes portrayed himself as a loveable rogue, denying that he was capable of violence. These convictions show he is ruthless and dangerous. The sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending.”

Of the £48,000 stolen only around £5,000 was recovered.

In passing his sentence, Judge Gordon Risius told Hayes: “The fact you were repeatedly prepared to carry a shotgun means you present a significant risk to the public.

“You will only to be released when the parole board considers you of no risk.”

Hayes’s partner Susan Langridge, 48, was also given a 12- month community order after admitting one charge of money laundering. She will have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk