Two men were jailed for 22 years on Thursday after attempting to rob a cash machine security guard at gun point.

Tyrone Deer, 41, of Arundel Drive, Harrow was sentenced to 12 years and Leon Gerald, 43, of no fixed address was sentenced 10 years in prison, having previously pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On May 18, police were called at around 10.20am to reports of an attempted armed robbery outside a supermarket in Northolt Road, South Harrow where a team from cash handling company Loomis were filling a cash machine.

It was reported a Loomis guard stepped down from the vehicle carrying a cash box when a masked man appeared pointing a gun at the guards’ legs demanding the cash box be opened before he had counted down from ten.

The Loomis guard called for help and the gunman fled the scene in a getaway vehicle.

Later, detectives from the Flying Squad identified the vehicle used in the attempted robbery, and subsequently identified Deer and Gerald in possession of that vehicle.

Detectives traced them to a supermarket on High Street, Yiewsley where they were scouting another Loomis crew filling up a cash machine.

Armed police detained Deer and Gerald inside the getaway vehicle, which was stolen during a burglary in February. The pair were subsequently arrested and found in possession of a revolver loaded with six rounds of live ammunition.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Scott Hartley, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “I am incredibly proud of the detectives in this case who worked tirelessly to identify and trace these dangerous suspects who attempted to carry out a reckless and violent robbery.

"Deer and Gerald are dangerous offenders who at the time of their arrest were carrying out reconnaissance in an attempt to commit another cash-in-transit robbery. Had it not been for the actions of my detectives, working closely with colleagues from the Force Firearms Command, I am confident these men would have gone on to commit further offences.

"They have now been brought to justice and taken off the streets; they will spend a long time in prison and will no longer be able to terrify and harm innocent members of the public who are simply doing their jobs.”

A Judge’s Commendation was awarded to DI Hodge, DS Carr, DC Davis, DC Tauber and DC Pinto for their work on the investigation.

Gerald

Deer