A gang who targeted and violently attacked a security guard while he was delivering cash to a Westminster bank have been guilty.

Edward Smith and Kevin McGee, both 32, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery at Blackfriars Crown Court.

At earlier hearings at the same court two other men - Rocky Goldsmith, 36, and Joe Tomlinson, 30 - pleaded guilty to the same charge.

The four men had attempting to steal money being delivered to a HSBC Bank in Baker Street early in the morning of October 3 last year.

As the men planned and carried out their attempted heist they were unaware their every move was being monitored by the Met Police's Flying Squad, which had launched an intelligence-led operation called Operation Morguld earlier in the year.

At around 4.30am on the day in question, detectives watched Smith carry out a recce of the bank and surrounding area, the court heard.

Tomlinson had been lying in wait at a nearby phone box waiting for the guard to arrive. At 4.50am he ran to the security man and punched and kicked him to the ground, before fleeing with a box full of money.

Getaway driver Goldsmith was waiting nearby on a high-powered motorbike, but drove off when Tomlinson was pounced upon by the waiting officers.

Police gave chase but were unable to catch Goldsmith as he rode through streets at speeds of around 80mph. However, he was arrested 40 minutes later in St Mary’s Green, East Finchley.

Smith was arrested later that same evening but police were keen to catch a fourth member of the gang - the driver of a white van seen in the vicinity in the lead up to the incident.

That man was McGee and he was arrested leaving a property in north London on October 9. His van belonged to his employer and he had been in it with Goldsmith prior to the robbery.

The security guard escaped with minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment, the court was told.

Smith was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery on April 24, and McGee on Monday (April 27).

Afterwards, Detective Sergeant Alan Stimson said: “This was an audacious robbery concocted by four individuals who gave no thought to their victim.

"Tomlinson subjected the security custodian to such a vicious attack he stood little chance in defending himself.

“I am pleased that the jury have found Smith and McGee guilty for the part they played in the conspiracy and Goldsmith and Tomlinson had no choice but to plead guilty due to the overwhelming evidence put before the court.

"I hope that today’s conviction serves as a warning to those who insist on carrying out this type of crime.”

All four men, who come from north London, will be sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on June 5.