'Vicious' carjacking gang jailed

Mercedes were among the prestige cars stolen

Seven armed carjackers who broke into motorists' homes demanding the keys to their luxury vehicles have been jailed.

Described as "savage and vicious", the gang targeted upmarket areas in London, stealing up to four cars a night.

They favoured high-performance BMWs, Mercedes and Subarus, making off with 19 cars worth £350,000 in 35 days.

I've only just gone back to work, because it affected me and my family so much

Victim

Masked, they would break down the motorist's front door and demand the car keys at gunpoint.

One victim, a middle-aged man whose Subaru was stolen, said after sentencing: "I've only just gone back to work, because it affected me and my family so much.

"I am pleased it is over and they have got what they deserved."

One family in Romford was asleep when the front door was kicked in.

Ski masks

Three men wearing ski masks and brandishing a silver-handled gun confronted the owner and demanded the keys to his £25,000 BMW X5.

During the raid, one of the gang left a half-eaten kebab in the house. A DNA test linked it to one of the defendants, Leon Willoughby.

Sometimes they held up lone drivers using a "distraction collision" - hitting the car from behind to force the driver to pull over, London's Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

During one such carjacking, one of the drivers was stabbed in the hand.

This cruel and heartless method of robbery caught the occupants at their most vulnerable

Judge Inigo Bing

The north London gang was also responsible for raids on two betting shops, a building society, a post office and a supermarket, stealing almost £3,000.

Passing sentence, trial judge Inigo Bing said: "You are a savage, vicious and highly-organised gang.

"These offences, which were 28 in number and committed over a five-week period, were brutal and violent and caused terror to your victims."

He drew attention in particular to the night-time raids on people's homes.

"This cruel and heartless method of robbery caught the occupants at their most vulnerable - semi-naked and disorientated," the judge said.

"You did not care whether they included the elderly or young children, and they were both in this case.

"Everybody who was in the houses you robbed was affected by your behaviour. The long-term consequences were considerable."

'Zero tolerance'

Nathaniel Willoughby, of Oakley Road, Whetstone, 20, received 14 years in a young offenders' institution, Leon Willoughby, of Beaconsfield Road, Tottenham, 17, got 12 years and Dale Theron of Springfield Avenue, Muswell Hill, 17, also got 12 years, for four counts of conspiracy to rob and two of conspiracy to possess an imitation firearm.

They had denied the charges.

Following the guilty verdicts trial judge Inigo Bing lifted a court order banning the identification of the two teenagers.

Four admitted the charges.

They were Leon's brother, Daniel, 18, of Beaconsfield Road, Tottenham, who got 11 years; Robert George, 20, of Brunswick Road, Tottenham, (11 years) and Colin Palmer, 18, of Brunswick Road, Tottenham (nine and a half years); Anthony Cunningham, 19, of Wembley Close, Enfield (11 years).

Outside the court, Detective Inspector Keith Garnish, said: "The lengthy sentences they receive send out a crystal clear message that gun crime of any type will be met with zero tolerance."