A CASH delivery driver was told he would be shot and his knee caps blown off during an attempted armed raid at an Notts bank, a court heard.
Masked raiders tried to steal a cash box from Amrick Singh , a G4S driver, as he a made a routine visit with £25,000 inside a secure box to HSBC, in Front Street, Arnold.
One of the would-be robbers carried a gun in front of terrified customers who witnessed the incident unfold just before 11am on Thursday, January 10.
Customers turned to face the wall and some cowered in terror as Mr Singh was threatened and pistol-whipped around his protective helmet, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
One customer feared that both he and his dog would be shot.
Two days earlier the gang's getaway car was stolen – an R32 performance Volkswagen Golf – taken from a woman at knifepoint in Radford.
Registered number plates for an identical vehicle were stolen in Birmingham and fitted to the car.
The car was spotted in a car park half-a-mile away the day before as the would-be robbers did reconnaissance .
Vehicles to switch to were ready and waiting.
Despite their apparent organisation, the would-be robbers fled with nothing, as a fob was required to open the cash box.
Judge Gregory Dickinson QC said the fact that the robbery was ultimately unsuccessful did not diminish the seriousness of the case or the fear for those involved.
Three men were arrested. Two of those were jailed for a total of 25 years yesterday for conspiracy to rob and possessing an imitation firearm, which has never been found.
Emmanuel Staff, 32, was locked up for 12 years and co-conspirator Ryan McDevitt, 25, received 13 years.
Their exact roles are not known, but both were sentenced for being part of the plot. Others were involved and have not been caught.
Staff, of Lindfield Road, on the Broxtowe Estate, pleaded guilty and McDevitt, of Markham Crescent, Sherwood, was found guilty after a trial.
A charge against a third man, Mark Blair, 39, of Larch Gardens in Bulwell, was dropped.
Afterwards, Detective Inspector Kev Broadhead said: "This was a planned, brazen and violent crime, which has left its mark on a number of people.
"While the bank robbery was a failed attempt to steal cash, Staff and McDevitt did succeed in injuring the security guard and scaring the living daylights out of staff and customers, something that is often more difficult to get over than a physical injury.
"The ordeal lasted only eight minutes but it will no doubt be a lasting, troubling memory for those who were there.
"I would like to acknowledge the keen eyes and ears of a number of key people whose detailed witness accounts proved vital in securing these convictions today.
"We believe these two were core members of a wider, organised group and their jailing today has put an end to their illicit plotting and violent crimes."
