AUBURN — An Auburn man who pleaded guilty to participating in five robberies in the area last April has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Scott Demmons was also sentenced Tuesday in Androscoggin County Superior Court to three years of probation after pleading guilty earlier this month to robbing several convenience stores and pizza shops with an accomplice.

Prosecutors say he claimed to have a gun in some of the robberies and was motivated by a need for money to buy drugs.

The Sun Journal reports that the 33-year-old Demmons apologized to the robbery victims in court and said he hadn’t intended to hurt anyone.

Demmons’ alleged accomplice is awaiting trial.