A MAN accused of carrying out a series of robberies at banks and building societies in south Warwickshire is even said to have robbed the same cashier twice in five weeks.

Brian O'Dell, 41, who is from Stratford but has no fixed address, appeared at Warwick Crown Court for a preliminary hearing after being arrested for the robberies.

Prosecutor Sarah Pedley said O'Dell had been charged with four robberies at banks and building societies, all of which were said to have involved the use of a knife.

The first alleged offence was in August when he is accused of robbing Elizabeth Vincent, a cashier at the Nationwide Building Society in Stratford, of £3,240.

On September 5 he is said to have targeted the Skipton Building Society branch in Worcester and robbed cashier Jamie Clougher of £560.

A week later O'Dell is said to have carried out two knifepoint robberies on the same day. One was at the HSBC bank in Studley, where he is accused of robbing cashier Carole Steed of an unknown quantity of cash.

And in the other he is alleged to have returned to the Nationwide Building Society in Stratford and robbed Elizabeth Vincent, for the second time, and a colleague, Laura, Walker of £1,640.

Miss Pedley said there was no indication of what pleas O'Dell will enter to the charges and his barrister, Matthew Walsh, said the case rests on identification evidence.

The case was adjourned for the prosecution papers to be served on the defence before a plea and case management hearing takes place in late November and O'Dell was remanded in custody by Judge Richard Cole.