Two violent robbers from Mitcham and Croydon have been jailed after attacking the guards of a cash in transit vehicle, and robbing the cash.

Robert Richards, of Heathfield Drive in Mitcham, was sentenced to seven and a half years for robbery today, July 21. His co-defendant Ishmael Baptise, of Cypress Road in Croydon, was sentenced to eight years and four months imprisonment for robbery and aggravated vehicle taking.

The jury at Croydon Crown Court heard how the two men, both 27, attacked the guards as they delivered cash to a petrol station on February 27.

One guard was knocked to the floor and the other was hit across the head and chest with a crowbar. The thugs threatened the guards before grabbing the cash box and fleeing.

Detectives flew to the scene and tried to intercept the getaway vehicle. The pair reversed into the police car and mounted the pavement before an intense police chase along Portland Road, damaging street furniture and other vehicles.

The cash box was thrown out of the car at South Norwood Hill. The defendants crashed into another driver as they swerved and drove down the wrong side of the carriageway on Grange Road,

Baptise emerged from the driver's seat and was Tasered, but was able to escape by scaling some railings into a park. Richards was arrested on suspicion of robbery at the scene.

Officers later arrested Baptise at an address in Cypress Court in Croydon.

The 41-year-old hit by Baptise and Richards in the collision on Grange Road was injured but has since been discharged from hospital.

Baptiste and Richards previously pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing at Croydon Crown Court on March 29.

Detective Inspector Nick Blackburn, from the Met's Flying Squad, said: "This was an extremely serious offence, where cash in transit custodians were subjected to unacceptable violence whilst doing their job.

“Baptiste and Richards were desperate to evade capture and exhibited this in the manner of driving and the danger caused to members of the public. These convictions sends out a clear message to those who are contemplating such criminality - the Flying Squad will hunt you down and you will face time in prison. I would also like to thank the local community in South Norwood for their support during our investigation."