Alex Rogers and Billy Fitton attacked two security guards with a claw hammer and a pickaxe handle

Two men have been jailed for a violent attempted cash-in-transit robbery in Park Royal that left a security guard hospitalised.

Alex Rogers, 19, and Billy Fitton, 26, attacked a worker with a claw hammer and a pickaxe handle as he delivered cash to the ASDA store on Western Road, on August 31 last year.

The pair and a third man, who has yet to be identified, rushed the security guard as he returned to his van from replenishing a cash machine.

The trio assaulted him and threatened to kill him if his colleague did not allow them access to the cash machines.

Fearing for the life of his colleague, the second guard gave them access but was also attacked.

They fled the scene empty handed in a stolen Volkswagen Passat after failing to get to the cash but crashed the vehicle in a street in East Acton.

They then unsuccessfully tried to carjack three vehicles before feeling on foot.

DNA evidence found at the scene of the crash car identified Rogers and Fitton and they were arrested and charged with conspiracy to rob.

Rogers, from Ladbroke Grove, was jailed for nine years, and Fitton, from White City, was sentenced to seven years.

DC Ross Moultrie, the officer in charge of the investigation for the Flying Squad, said: “I am pleased these two violent criminals have been taken off the streets of London.

“This was a particularly violent robbery where a victim was hospitalised. The robbers stood to steal a large quantity of cash if successful. So far the third man remains unidentified and anyone with information on this individual should contact the Finchley Flying Squad on 020 8358 1751.”

Both were sentenced at Harrow Crown Court last month.