TWO thugs have been jailed following a violent attempted robbery last year which left a security guard injured.

Alex Rogers and Billy Fitton were sentenced to nine and seven years respectively for their parts in the attempted robbery of a security guard as he was delivering cash at the ASDA store on Western Road, NW10 on August 31.

Rogers, 19, of Ladbroke Grove, was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of conspiracy to rob on 19 March 2013. Fitton, 26, of Shepherd’s Bush had pleaded guilty on December 7 last year 2012.

The court heard how on August 31, police were called to reports of suspects attacking cash-in-transit custodians at the Asda in Park Royal.

Rogers, Fitton and a still unidentified third suspect rushed a security guard returning to his security van from replenishing cash machine. The three men assaulted the guard armed with a claw hammer and a pickaxe handle, threatening to kill him if his colleague did not allow them access to the cash machines.

Fearing for the life of his colleague, the second guard complied but was also assaulted. The robbers could not access the delivered money and fled the scene empty handed.

The three men fled the area in a Volkswagen Passat - a car that was later found to have been stolen - but crashed not far away in Wulfstan Street. They then unsuccessfully attempted three car jackings in Wulfstan Street, before making off on foot.

Forensic examination of the crashed car gave DNA profiles for Rogers and Fitton. A bag also recovered from the scene of the robbery had evidence linking it to having been used by Rogers.

Rogers was arrested at his home on September 27 last year and was subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. Fitton was arrested on October 4 and he was later charged with the same offences.

DC Ross Moultrie, the officer in charge of the investigation for the Flying Squad, said: “I am pleased these two violent criminals have been taken off the streets of London.

“This was a particularly violent robbery where a victim was hospitalised. The robbers stood to steal a large quantity of cash if successful. So far the third man remains unidentified and anyone with information on this individual should contact the Finchley Flying Squad on 020 8358 1751.”