A suspect in an alleged �37,000 jewellery robbery has been charged with escaping custody.

Mark Barton of Cotman Fields, in the city centre, faces three charges of robbery and one for escaping from custody.

He was supposed to be in Britannia House, part of Norwich Prison, from September 14 to September 19, but is accused of escaping.

It is alleged Mr Barton then committed three city centre robberies.

He was charged with robbing jewellery worth �37,299 on November 1.

The 29-year-old is also accused of taking �3,275 in cash on October 19 and robbing �932 on October 28.

At Norwich Magistrates Court this morning the tattooed Mr Barton did not enter a plea.

He was denied bail by the court.

The case was sent to Norwich Crown Court for November 16.