Brothers jailed over van robbery

A police officer arrested the brothers at the scene

Two brothers who were part of a four-man armed-gang have been jailed for a total of 11 years.

Belfast Crown Court heard that last year, Damien Gibbons, 32, grabbed a cash box from a van guard outside the Northern Bank in Finaghy.

The guard was an undercover policeman who chased Gibbons to a waiting van driven by his brother, Stephen, 34.

After a scuffle both men were arrested. The brothers, with no fixed address, pleaded guilty to robbery.

Damien Gibbons also admitted a further charge of attempting to inflict grievious bodily harm with intent.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court that Damien Gibbons had 165 previous convictions while his brother had 295.

Two other men who were arrested nearby - David Crone, 25 of no fixed address and Declan Stilges, 33, from Norglen Parade in Belfast.

They have also pleaded guilty to the robbery and are due to be sentenced next month.