Jailed for 14 years: Maida Vale man who carried out six armed bank robberies

CCTV image of Byrne robbing a bank in The Strand (Image: Archant)

Jason Byrne, 45, of Carlton Vale, stole a total of £38,900 from branches in Swiss Cottage, Notting Hill, Kensington, Camden, Shepherds Bush and The Strand between April 1 and August 8 last year.

Kingston Crown Court heard he threatened cashiers with a gun whilst demanding they hand over cash.

His lookouts John Monaghan, 54, of Granville Road, Kilburn, and Paul Wiltshire, 47, of no fixed address, were jailed for 14 and 10 years respectively.

They had both admitted their involvement in a total of four of the robberies.

John Monaghan admitted taking part in three robberies and was jailed for 14 years (Image: Archant)

Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad launched ‘Operation Buzzsaw’ to find the culprits resulting in Byrne and Wiltshire being arrested as they targeted an HSBC branch in Shepherds Bush Green.

Both Byrne and Wiltshire were found with an imitation gun, two knives and a rucksack containing £4,500.

Monaghan, who was later identified and arrested, previously pleaded guilty to his involvement in three of the robberies.

Wiltshire admitted his involvement in one incident.

Paul Wiltshire admitted taking part in one robbery and was jailed for 10 years (Image: Archant)

Byrne, who had denied any wrongdoing, was acquitted of carrying out a seventh robbery at a Barclays Bank in Hendon.

Detective Inspector Scott Hartley, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “I am pleased that these three criminals have received lengthy prison sentences.

“Operation Buzzsaw was a lengthy operation to identify, target and arrest Byrne and his associates, who showed no signs of slowing down their offending.

“As a result of the diligent and painstaking investigation by the Flying Squad, these criminals now begin considerable prison sentences.”

The rucksack containing £4,500, imitation gun and two knives (Image: Archant)