A MAN has been jailed for 14 years for violent robberies in the Hayes and Yeading areas last year.

Shakil Ruel McCrea, 18, of Kingshill Avenue, Hayes, was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday to 14 years in prison for three counts of robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

A 17-year-old youth from Hayes awaits sentencing for two counts of robbery. They were both found guilty of the offences last month.

McCrea and his accomplice were arrested after being identified by two victims on Facebook shortly after an incident at a recreation ground in Yeading in March last year.

Just after midnight, McCrea and the 17-year-old approached two teenage boys on Yeading Brook Park, opposite The Industry pub in Yeading, demanding their personal possessions, shouting: "Give me your stuff."

They then assaulted the two victims, using a vodka bottle to strike them over the head.

During the attack, a mobile phone, headphones, wallet and its contents, along with an asthma inhaler, were stolen.

McCrae and his accomplice ran away and the victims had to receive hospital treatment for their injuries.

They were later able to identify both suspects on social media and details were circulated to police in a bid to locate them.

On a later date, McCrea and an unidentified associate forced their way into a home in Hobart Road, Hayes. They threatened two men inside with a gun and demanded their mobile phones.

A week later, police were called by one of the victims who said he had seen McCrea and his associate in the Hobart Road area.

They arrested the pair, who were charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

A search of an address in Hayes also uncovered the stolen phone from Hobart Road.

Det Con Michael Davidson said: "As a result of the police working together with victims of crime and securing the best evidence to present before the courts, McCrea will now be starting a significant jail term for his awful actions.

"We will use every tactic and resource available to relentlessly pursue offenders who blight our communities in this way."