Jailed for 14 years: Man convicted of armed robberies on banks in Swiss Cottage and Camden
Jason Byrne has been jailed for 14 years - Credit: Archant
A man who carried out six armed robberies on banks across London including branches in Swiss Cottage and Camden has been jailed for 22 years today.
CCTV image of Byrne robbing a bank in The Strand - Credit: Archant
Jason Byrne, 45, from Kilburn, stole a total of £38,900 from the branches and four others in Notting Hill, Kensington, 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, from 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 - Credit: 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.
Most Read
- 1 Plan for creating 25,500 homes around 'HS2 Superhub' passed
- 2 Former bingo hall in Burnt Oak to become co-working and co-living space
- 3 Wembley school opens new special educational needs facility
- 4 2 men attacked by group after fight breaks out at Queensbury Tube Station
- 5 Covid admissions on the rise at north London hospitals
- 6 Ben & Jerry's ice cream sold at Sainsbury's recalled due to health concerns
- 7 Two charged after police discharge taser during Kingsbury vehicle stop
- 8 Series of failures sees Met Police placed under special measures
- 9 Three Met officers receive written warning over photos of murdered sisters
- 10 Census 2021: What has changed in your borough since 2011?
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 - Credit: 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 - Credit: Archant
