It's been revealed a gun-toting robber who went on a crime spree around Auckland, targeting Asian tourists, was out on bail for similar offending at the time.

John Koteka has today been jailed for two and a half years on seven charges – including aggravated robbery and reckless discharge of a firearm.

The court heard that Koteka was on bail in February when he robbed tourists at Mt Eden and fired five shots into the ground as he fled members of a tour party trying to stop him.

He's since been jailed for nearly 11 years for two previous aggravated robberies in South Auckland.

Though he was initially remanded in custody on those charges, he was released on bail because of delays to his trial.