Two men have been jailed for a string of “terrifying” armed robberies and attempted robberies on banks and bookmakers that left staff fearing for their lives.

Ivor Manton, 34, of Cheshunts, Basildon, Essex, carried out the robberies threatening employees with what looked like a handgun wrapped in plastic.

His accomplice Suby Sahota, 51, of South Park Drive, Ilford would wait nearby with a bag for Manton to place his outer clothes in.

Both men were convicted of a charge of conspiracy to rob at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday September 7.

Manton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment

Sahota, who was found guilty after a trial on 2 August, was jailed for three years.

The Met’s Flying Squad launched an investigation on November 3 2016 after an attempted robbery at HSBC Bank in Electric Parade, South Woodford.

Manton entered the bank at 4.25pm and grabbed a female employee, pointed at her what looked like a gun.

Her screams caused Manton to let go of her and he fled empty-handed.

CCTV footage showed him beforehand in an alleyway at the side of The George pub in South Woodford High Road with Sahota, who waited for him to return and change out of his clothes.

The next day Manton robbed Barclays Bank in Chadwell Heath High Road, making off with £2,800 after threatening staff with what resembled a handgun.

CCTV showed Manton with Sohota in a nearby off-licence before the robbery wearing two layers of clothing.

The pair’s next target was Halifax bank in Hornchurch High Street on November 14 but Manton left empty-handed after a member of staff activated the security screens.

Manton attempted to rob Betfred, High Road, Seven Kings the following week and was seen on CCTV placing his second layer of clothing in Sahota’s bag.

The final offence took place four days before Christmas at William Hill, High Road, Woodford Green when Manton demanded cash from a female employee who was in her first week of work. He left with £200.

Manton was identified by detectives on January 3 after CCTV images matched those on the Met’s custody database.

A search of his record found he had been arrested for shoplifting with Sahota on New Year’s Eve 2016.

Sahota was arrested at his home address on January 31 and items of clothing matching those worn by Manton during the robberies were found in the property.

The same day both men were charged with conspiracy to rob.

Detective Constable Shona Wilkinson, of the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “This series of offences was terrifying for employees were threatened with a gun.

“A recurring theme from all the victims of these offences was they thought they would not see their loved ones again.

“No one has the right to create such fear when all you have done is gone to work in the morning.”