A gang which robbed £10,000 worth of goods from convenience stores and petrol station shops in Tower Hamlets have been jailed.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the four men were behind 38 raids where staff were threatened with violence while alcohol, cigarettes and confectionary were stolen.
Some premises were targeted more than once by the gang.
In one robbery last December a security guard was threatened by one man while the other three jumped over the counter and stole alcohol and cigarettes worth £1,605.
Last Friday Guled Jama, 28, of Cannon Street Road, Whitechapel, Syed Meah, 23, of Roman Road, Bow, Alinur Rahman, 36, from Tottenham and 34-year-old Abdul Hannan, of no fixed address, were convicted of carrying out the raids.
Jama was jailed for seven years, Rahman must serve three years and four months, Meah was sentenced to two years and eight months and Hannan six years.
All four were also given Criminal Behaviour Orders.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here