Two men have been jailed for what police described as an “horrific” robbery and car jacking last year.

Hertbert Osuji, 35, of Primrose Road, South Woodford, and Diroy Hall, 29, from Westley Court, West Bromwich, were sentenced to five and two-and-a-half years respectively at St Albans Crown Court on Friday after admitting charges of robbery and GBH.

The pair were responsible for a brutal jewellery theft in December last year, when they stole gems worth thousands of pounds as they were loaded into a car in Harefield Road.

After leaping out of a blue Transit Van, the robbers knocked the driver to the ground – leaving him bleeding and unconscious in the road – before driving away in his BMW.

Detective Constable Tania Harnor led the police investigation. She said: “This was an extremely violent, targeted offence which left the victim extremely traumatised.

“The actions of these men have had a huge impact on the victim and I hope that the prison sentences offer him some form of comfort in knowing that they can’t commit further crimes.

“This was an extremely complex and detailed case and the fact this case came to court and the men pleaded guilty is testimony to the excellent detective work in this case. I am pleased these men have been brought to justice.”