A VIOLENT axe-wielding gang of robbers who hospitalised two people and stole thousands of pounds from a Romford petrol station have been jailed for a combined period of over 40 years.
The four balaclava-clad accomplices struck as a cash machine at the Esso petrol station in Collier Road was being replenished on June 9.
One cash delivery worker was left temporarily unconscious after being repeatedly punched and stamped on before the group made off with £4,750 in a stolen Vauxhall Vectra which was later found containing an axe.
The attack was one of a string of robberies in East London, Essex and Kent in which several cash delivery staff were left injured.
The men used the axe and the threat of firearms to steal a total of over £91,000.
They were sentenced on Monday after being convicted of robbery and conspiracy to rob offences at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Saqib Waheed, 27, of Katherine Road, East Ham, and Waqaas Mailk, 28, of Mortley Road, Plaistow were each sentenced to 14 years.
Darian Davis, 34, of no fixed abode, received a sentence of eight years and four months and Adam Ephraim, 22, of Lennard Road, Croydon, was jailed for six years.
During an extensive police investigation involving telephone surveillance, the offenders were seen following Loomis and G4S cash-in-transit vans and observing deliveries across the region.
Metropolitan Police officers arrested Waheed and Davis, whilst they committed a cash-in-transit robbery on a Loomis cash delivery at Waitrose, High Road, South Woodford on July 2.
Ephraim and Malik were arrested soon afterwards.
In passing sentence, Her Honor Judge Korner identified Waheed, Malik and Davis as "Dangerous Persons" due to their previous convictions and potential to harm the public.
She acknowledged the violence used during the robberies as being "beyond that which was necessary", and the physical and psychological effects the robberies had on their victims.
Detective Inspector Mark Field of the Flying Squad unit which apprehended the gang said: "This was a very professional outfit which used gratuitous violence in their crimes.
"It is fortunate that no one was seriously injured. It was only through the meticulous work of the Flying Squad that ensured this group are not free to continue committing robbery.
"This operation shows the Flying Squad's commitment in convicting organised criminals engaged in attacks against the cash-in-transit industry."