Two men responsible for an armed robbery in Radlett have been sentenced today (Friday).

Herts Advertiser: Syrus Hayles was sentenced to 13 years for armed robberySyrus Hayles was sentenced to 13 years for armed robbery (Image: Archant)

Anthony Fagan, 53, and Syrus Hayles, 36, pleaded guilty to eight armed robberies committed in November and December last year, including one at Radlett Post Office on Battlers Green Drive.

The pair appeared at Luton Crown Court on Friday (7) and Fagan, of Boleyn Avenue in Enfield, was sentenced to 14 years for conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and dangerous driving.

Hayles, of Willingale Road in Loughton, Essex, was sentenced to 13 years for conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

On November 25 the pair entered the Radlett Post Office brandishing an imitation handgun in a sock and wearing high visibility work-wear, balaclavas and white hard hats. They also carried clip boards.

While taking money from the counter, one of them pointed the gun and made threats.

They demanded the safe to be opened but left before this was complete.

The pair were eventually caught after carrying out a robbery at a Post Office in Bedford on December 19.

They were seen leaving the scene in a car and police chased them before it came to a stop in Stotfold. The were arrested in a nearby garden after attempting to leave the vehicle.

The other robberies occurred across Hertfordshire in Rickmansworth, Bushy, Watford, Loughton and Cuffley.

Detective Sergeant Kerry Bull from Herts Police’s specialist investigation team, who led the investigation, said: “This calculated series of armed robberies caused a great deal of distress to a number of victims and I have no doubt that Fagan and Hayles, who are both career criminals and have previous convictions for similar offences, would have gone on to commit further robberies had they not been caught.

“We welcome today’s sentence and hope it serves as a warning that we will not tolerate this type of criminal activity in Hertfordshire. We will relentlessly pursue those involved in committing crime and will work with our colleagues across other forces to bring these criminals to justice.”