Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment after committing a series of violent armed robberies using sawn-off shotguns.

Nicholas Wordsworth, 43 of Enfield and Mustafa Murteza, 48, of Holloway, were sentenced to life imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, February 10.

Wordsworth was ordered to serve a minimum term of seven years and nine months; Murteza was ordered to serve a minimum term of seven years and five months.

Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob; possession of a firearm (sawn-off shotgun) and ammunition with intent to endanger life; possession of an imitation firearm with intent (gas-powered revolver); and possession of a prohibited weapon (stun gun).

Wordsworth admitted carrying out seven offences, as well as planning to commit a further robbery in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

However, Murteza admitted his involvement in only five of the seven offences.

The offences took place across London and the south-east of England between February 2016 and October 2016.

In June last year, two suspects armed with a hunting knife and a shotgun threatened a security guard and shop staff at a Tesco Superstore in Mutton Lane, Potters Bar.

The pair were arrested in November 2016 in Sandy, Bedfordshire following a proactive investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad.

Detective Inspector Mark Bedford from the Met's Flying Squad said: "These were well-planned, violent armed robberies during which both Wordsworth and Murteza terrorised security guards, as well as members of the public going about their daily business, and left them fearing for their lives. In my view, it was only through luck and good fortune that nobody was seriously injured or worse.

"This has been a lengthy and complex investigation spanning the south-east of England.

"It was only through the meticulous work of officers from the Flying Squad supported by colleagues from the Met's Specialist Firearms Command, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, TVP and Sussex police forces which ensured these individuals are no longer free to continue committing these violent offences.

"This operation reflects the Flying Squad's commitment to ensure those criminals engaged in this type of violent commercial robbery are identified and brought to justice."