THREE Hayes men are starting long jail sentences for a string of armed robberies across London, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

The men appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, having previously pleaded guilty to eight robberies at bookmakers in February last year.

Ryan Brooks, 32, of Hobart Lane, Yeading, admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and was jailed for a total of eight years.

Benjamin Sealey, 19, of Lothian Avenue, also admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and was sentenced to a total of nine years.

Jordan Gittings, 21, of Hobart Lane, pleaded not guilty but was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery and jailed for a total of eight years and six months.

The three men targeted eight bookmakers over a 17-day period.

On almost every occasion, one man approached the main counter with a shotgun, while others secured the front door.

They escaped with more than £6,000 before they were tracked down by the Met's Flying Squad, assisted by Leicestershire and Warwickshire police.

Five of the robberies took place in London, two in Warwickshire and one in Leicestershire. The addresses included Jollys Lane, Uxbridge Road and Yeading Lane, Hayes, and Eastcote Lane, Harrow.

Det Insp Scott Hartley, of the Flying Squad, said: "They became more cavalier each time.

"They confronted a number of victims - both workers and customers - who were all left shaken by the incidents.

“Several cashiers were directly threatened with a firearm pointed at them. We hope these convictions offer some support to those targeted."