Armed robbers George Brockett, Michael McCluskey and Alfie Barker

by Keith Hunt

Three armed robbers have today been locked up for a total of almost 30 years after a raid that netted £50,000 from a cash machine.

The trio were sentenced for conspiracy to commit robbery and possessing an imitation firearm at the Esso garage in Strood.

George Brockett, 25, was jailed for 12 years; Michael McCluskey, 25, for 10 years and eight months; and Alfie Barker, 18, was sent to youth custody for seven years.

They targeted the Cuxton Road service station at around 11.50am on September 19, escaping with around £50,000.

Armed officers and a police helicopter were scrambled after witnesses said they had seen a weapon.

The Loomis van targeted at Strood's Esso - here in front of a stand-alone ATM

Maidstone Crown Court heard Loomis security guards were confronted by the weapon as they loaded cash into an ATM.

One of the guards told how an adrenalin rush made him ignore a warning from one of the raiders not to run.

Mark Brookman, who has worked for Loomis for more than 11 years, said he "scarpered" into the garage shop to call for help after he saw a man brandishing a shotgun appear through a gap in the fence at the rear of the forecourt.

He was told to stop running, but he added: "Adrenalin got the better of me. I also pressed my panic alarm which informs our control centre."

Both Mr Brookman and his colleague, William Cook, described hearing a cracking noise as the first armed robber came through the fence just after 11.40am.

CCTV image of raiders fleeing the scene of the Esso raid

Mr Cook said in a statement: "I looked to see a man walking towards me with a sawn-off shotgun. The man had kicked through the fence making a gap big enough for him to get through."

Mr Cook said the hooded raider shouted and warned him not to lock the safe.

"He carried on walking towards me, pointing the gun at me," he said. "I started to back away. I noticed another man come through the hole in the fence and he was wearing the same kind of clothing.

"As I was walking backwards the man with the gun stood at the back of our van pointing the gun at me. The other man went to the back of the machine, knelt down and opened the door. I assumed he was taking the cassettes (of cash).

"I carried on backing away from the males. Neither made any attempt to stop me. The second man then got up with both cassettes, one under each arm and they went through the gap in the fence."

Dozens of police officers at the scene of the cash raid in Strood

Jurors heard the stand-alone cash machine at Temple Farm service station was always replenished on a Wednesday. The garage was closed at the time for refurbishment and the forecourt was coned off.

A total of £53,000 in £10 and £20 notes was stolen.

Judge Philip Statman said the security guards were threatened with a weapon resembling a sawn-off shotgun.

"It was planned with consummate skill," he said. "A hole was cut in a fence to ensure a quick getaway. You wore masks. It was a horrifying experience for the guards. Little of the cash has been recovered."

The judge said McCluskey was the principal in the robbery.

McCluskey, of Brinkburn Close, Abbey Wood, and Barker, of Mangold Way, Erith, admitted the conspiracy and firearm offences. Brocket, of Ivy Close, Gravesend, admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and was convicted of possessing an imitation firearm by a jury.

Armed police at the scene of the raid on Esso in Strood

DC Wayne Totterdell, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said today: "I'm pleased with today's sentencing as it brings to close a very serious crime.

"This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims involved, but I'd like to take the opportunity to praise the efforts of those who gave evidence and the officers who worked tirelessly to bring these three robbers to justice.

"Brockett had tried to play down his role in the robbery by denying possession of an imitation firearm, despite evidence showing otherwise. All three of them will spend a significant time in jail where they can contemplate the consequences of their actions."