The getaway driver for a gang that trailed and then ambushed a petrol station boss in Hythe has been jailed for three years.

Boyd Williams, 23, drove two men who had stalked Prasanna Subendran - manager of Murco in Seabrook Road - to a bank.

The boss had been carrying two bags of cash, containing a total of almost £10,000, when he was attacked in High Street.

The terrified garage boss was punched repeatedly in the head by two men wearing hoodies as a tug-of-war took place over the cash bags.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the bags ripped open during the struggle, spilling the money into the street in front of startled shoppers.

The two then panicked and grabbed just £3,725 before fleeing, leaving the bulk of the takings behind.

Ian Hope, prosecuting, told how passers-by who witnessed the attack went to the aid of stricken Mr Subendran and helped recover the cash that had spilled into the street.

He added a witness also noted the number plate of the getaway Ford Fiesta and police tracked it to Williams, of Albert Road, Hythe.

Williams, who admitted robbery, initially claimed two men had asked for a lift and then told him to stop outside the bank.

But Judge Simon James said it was clear Williams was the getaway driver in the robbery planned by the two men, who have never been identified.

Mr Subendran - who had put up a brave fight - suffered a bump to his head, swelling to his cheek and neck pain in the attack.

After jailing him for three years, the judge also ordered the Fiesta seized by police should be sold and the money given to the garage manager as compensation.

Judge James added: "This was clearly a planned attack, although I accept it may have not have been planned by you, but by others.

"But you willingly took part and acted as the getaway driver. Your victim was tracked from the garage and was then ambushed near the bank in the High Street.

"It must have been very frightening for both him and those who witnessed the robbery."