A 24 YEAR-old man has been jailed for 11 years for a series of armed robberies across west and south-west London.
Michael Francis-Dwyer, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Friday (18), after previously admitting robbery and firearms offences.
Detective Inspector Angela Phillips from the Met Police Flying Squad, said: "Francis-Dwyer gave no regard for the employees of the premises he robbed when he and his accomplices threatened them with a gun and forced them to give up their personal property and cash from the business.
"I am pleased he is now paying the price for his actions."
Francis-Dwyer was one of a group of men who robbed five pubs and a convenience store over a six week period.
On April 21, at about 12.20am, the Sporting Page pub in Camera Place, Chelsea was targeted, and the following day, robbers struck at the Anglesey Arms in Selwood Terrace, South Kensington.
Robbers then targeted The Pilot pub in Wellesley Road, Chiswick on May 23 and Krystals Food and Wine in Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, on May 23.
The final two robberies happened on May 30 at The Dove Pub in Upper Mall, Hammersmith, and The Merchant in Battersea Rise, Clapham.
Up to four men would go into the business wearing clown masks or balaclavas, usually after closing time while the staff were cashing up the takings and clearing up.
They would threaten staff with a gun and demand that they lay down on the floor before forcing one of them to open the safe and hand over cash.
The men would then take the personal property of the staff, including bank cards and mobile phones, before leaving the scene.
Police discovered the robberies were linked, after receiving similar descriptions of the men and their technique, and during a detailed search of the crime scene at the final robbery in Clapham, officers found a piece of purple latent glove, worn by one of the suspects.
Forensic analysis of the glove produced a weak DNA profile.
Francis-Dwyer was arrested on June 24 following a routine stop and search on a car in Brixton, and he was found to be in possession of a firearm similar to the one used in the robberies.
He was matched to the DNA profile, and was charged two weeks later.
Police are still looking for the other men involved in the robberies, and ask anyone with information to call 020 8247 3940 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
