Four men who carried out a “terrifying attack” on a woman as she arrived home after picking up her ten-year-old daughter from school have been jailed.

The 42-year-old woman had parked the valuable car at her home in Whetstone in February, when three men in masks surrounded the vehicle.

They banged on the windscreen before opening the door and spraying the driver in the face with liquid.

They then robbed the victim of her jewellery and handbag and snatched the handbag of a 20-year-old passenger who was also in the car.

The gang got into a waiting Toyota Landcruiser and sped off, but within minutes of a call being put into police, CCTV operators at the London Borough of Barnet CCTV control room spotted the suspect driving from Station Road into Barnet Hill.

The vehicle was traced by police, but the driver of the stolen car lost control and crashed into a stationary bus. 

All four men attempted to run away, but with the help of a police helicopter they were found and arrested.

Theo Cruikshank, 24, of Woodchester Square, Maida Hill, and Tosh Martin, 23, of Brondesbury Villas, Kilburn, both pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and were sentenced to six years and three years' imprisonment to run concurrently.

Wayne Pilgrim, 38, of Cotesbach Road, Clapton, was sentenced to six years and three years' imprisonment for two counts of robbery, to run concurrently, and was disqualified for two years for dangerous driving.

Herman Yikalo, 20, of Amberley Road, Maida Hill, was also sentenced to four years in a Young Offenders Institute and two years in a Young Offenders Institute for two counts of robbery to run concurrently.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Yogini Patel of Barnet Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit said: " I am pleased that justice has been done and that these men will be off our streets for a considerable period of time.

“The way in which they carried out this terrifying attack on a defenceless family demonstrates that they have no regard for others. I am certain that had they not been arrested on this occasion, they would have carried on committing similar offences."