A robber has finally been brought to justice with a 15-year jail sentence for an armed raid on a security van more than 11 years ago.

Terence Pooke denied being the fourth member of a gang that stole just £6,000 in cash from Securicor in Wye, Ashford, in March 2001.

After the 48-year-old was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of robbery and possessing a firearm with intent, Judge Jeremy Carey said: “You are in it up to your neck.”

Pooke, formerly of Rotherhithe, south east London, was only identified last year while serving eight years imposed in 2009 for drugs offences.

Security guards James Steers and Martin Thomas were delivering cash to Lloyds TSB in Wye High Street when they were ambushed.

Prosecutor David Allan said although the target was £400,000, the gang made off with just £6,000 in cash. Another £4,000 in cheques was also stolen.

The van had set off from a depot in Aylesford with Mr Steers driving.

After arriving at the bank in Wye, Pooke and William Tobin moved in. Mr Thomas was dragged out and made to lie face down on the ground.

One of the robbers drove the security van to a sewage works on the outskirts of the village, where Billy Brown and “probably” his father Kevin Brown were waiting.

There was also a flatbed lorry with cutting equipment on it to get into the van. Mr Steers, who was in the back, was told to throw money out or Mr Thomas would be shot.

But Billy Brown made the mistake of jumping on the roof, which set off an alarm inside and locked other safes.

Tobin punched Mr Steers in the face and made more threats. But the raiders fled soon afterwards.

Tobin and Billy and Kevin Brown were arrested. Tobin, then 51, of Fulham, west London, was jailed for life in 2003 with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 11 years. Brown, then 21, of St Leonards, Sussex, was jailed for six years.

Kevin Brown, then 41, also of St Leonards, was acquitted of armed robbery after four trials. He was later sentenced to 15 years for a similar offence.