Protected: jury and witnesses

This stun gun was found in a car driven by Brown

Armed robbers Kevin Brown, 47, and Jonathon McAvoy, 24, had a history of violence and significant connections to the criminal underworld.

During trials involving Brown in the 1980s there were threats to judges, jurors and also escape plots.

In 2001 after four re-trials Brown was found not guilty of armed robbery and possession of loaded firearms following an operation in Kent.

One of the trials was stopped halfway through after information was received that Brown was going to take a prison officer hostage and escape.

Following a search of his cell a Stanley knife was discovered along with key numbers for the cell area.

Video link

In 2005 - in August and September - officers kept a close eye on the pair as they cased banks and cash in transit across London and Kent.

On Tuesday, the jury found Brown and McAvoy guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and firearms offences in 2005.

During their trial in January this year, armed guards patrolled the corridors at Woolwich Crown Court.

Bullets and item of clothing recovered from Brown

The jury in their trial were referred to only by number and were given round-the-clock protection throughout the trial.

All non-police prosecution witnesses were also referred to only by numbers and were given the protection afforded by evidence through video link.

Additionally, the court was also chosen because of its closeness to Belmarsh Prison where Brown was remanded in custody which reduced the chances of him escaping while being transported to the proceedings.

On Friday Brown and McAvoy were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Another of their associates, Gerald Wilson, 43, of Court Lane, Dulwich, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery earlier this week.

He received a 10-year-sentence.