A former Butler man was sentenced today to serve up to a year in prison for robbing two city convenience stores in less than 40 hours.

Gerald A. Simpson, 34, of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty to robbing both the 7-Eleven on Pillow Street and the E-Z Stop on North Main Street last November.

At both stores, according to court records, Simpson asked the clerk for a pack of Newport cigarettes.

Then, when the clerks, both of whom were women, opened the cash registers, Simpson grabbed cash and fled.

An anonymous tipster led investigators to suspect the defendant, according to court records.

Simpson, who pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, was sentenced to serve 6 to 12 months in prison followed by 3 years of probation.

Simpson also was ordered to pay E-Z Stop $40 and 7-Eleven $350 in restitution.

Simpson, who was sentenced by Butler County Judge William Shaffer, during the hearing apologized for his actions.

And, he said, while in jail awaiting court, he has been participating in the Butler County Prison's drug rehabilitation programs.

"I'm doing all I can do over there," he told the judge. "And I'm staying out of trouble."