Jailing Emmanuel Curoe for 14 years at Belfast Crown Court and placing him on a further two years post-custodial supervision last week, Judge Tom Burgess told the 36-year old: “I considered if a life sentence should be passed in this case.”

Curoe carried out 10 armed robberies at jewellers' shops and other businesses across Northern Ireland over a period spanning March 2005 to August 2007.

During one robbery at a jewellers in Bangor, a member of staff was handcuffed and had their feet tied. In another, a terrified employee was made to kneel down in the presence of a gunman.

The court heard that Curoe, formerly of Sandyknowes Park in Newtownabbey and now of no fixed abode, was a cocaine addict who carried out the robberies to pay off drug dealers.

Crown prosecutor Christine Smith said that following his arrest in September, Curoe pleaded guilty to 10 counts of robbery and a further 10 of possessing a firearm.

Ms Smith told the court that in seven of the 10 robberies, Curoe was acting with an accomplice who has since been jailed for his role in the crimes.

She said: “On each occasion, the defendant acting alone or with another person entered commercial premises. Staff were told that if they didn't hand over goods, they would be shot.”

During the 27-month spree, six jewellers were targeted. Curoe was involved in stealing £150,000 worth of Rolex watches from Mercer's in Enniskillen and £100,000 worth of Cartier watches from Jack Murphy's in Newry.

He was also found guilty of robbing jewellery and cash from H Samuel's jewellers in Bangor and Coleraine, Cahoon's jewellers in Cookstown and Parr's in Bangor.

Other businesses targeted were the Days Hotel in Belfast, Lambeg Stores in Dunmurry and two off-licences in greater Belfast.

Ms Smith revealed that following the robbery at Mercer's in Enniskillen, police found an imitation firearm and a balaclava bearing Curoe's DNA in the getaway car.

Curoe was also identified by shopkeepers and police from various CCTV footage.

When arrested Curoe was in possession of a false Irish passport.

The court heard that during police interviews, Curoe made a full admission of guilt and told officers all the proceeds of his crimes went to pay off drug dealers.

Defence barrister Eilish McDermott QC said her client — who was shot in both arms and legs in a paramilitary attack in 1990 for ‘anti-social behaviour' — has been offending since his early teens and has spent time in prison in jails in England and France as well as Northern Ireland.

Ms McDermott said her client “is someone who has considerable insight in to the fear he caused people in the shops and various other premises”

Sentencing, Judge Burgess told Curoe that he acted in a “callous, determined, planned and ruthless” manner with “no thought for these ordinary members of staff going about their business”.