A man who took part in a failed attempt to rob a bank was today jailed for 15 years.
Leroy Williams was a member of a gang which plotted a raid on Nat West, High Street, Lutterworth earlier this year.
A customer feared for his life when Williams and a fellow gang member entered the bank armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a pistol in January this year.
Their plot was foiled when the branch's two members of staff safely escaped to a secure room.
The two raiders were left alone with a customer who later told police: "I remember one of them saying, 'put one in him'.
"The other said, 'it's not worth it'. I then heard a gun discharge. I lay face down. Then I heard them leave."
The raiders left empty-handed and were caught after a police helicopter followed their getaway CAR.
Williams, (35), of Hallam Crescent East, Braunstone, Leicester, was convicted of attempted robbery, possession of a firearm and possession of an imitation firearm following a nine day trial in August.
He appeared at Lincoln Crown Court today and was jailed for 15 years.
His accomplices were sentenced at earlier hearings.
Richard Christopher, (33), of Trigo Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, was sentenced to 15 years for robbery, possession of a firearm and possession of an imitation firearm.
Robert Allen, (34), of Hall Farm Crescent, Broughton Astley, was sentenced to 11 years and six months after admitting robbery, possession of a firearm and possession of an imitation firearm.
He accompanied Williams into the bank.
Bryn Parker, (31), of the Fairway, Saffron Lane, Leicester, was sentenced to 11 years and six months for robbery, possession of a firearm and possession of an imitation firearm.
Parker also admitted offences of handling stolen goods and common assault and was jailed for an additional six month sentence..
Police said the shotgun has never been found. When officers arrested Allen he had a black holdall bag similar to the one seen on CCTV images taken inside the bank.
Six live shotgun cartridges were in the bag.
Analysis of the handgun established it fired blanks.
Detective Inspector Shaun Orton, who led the investigation, said: "All four men have now been given significant prison sentences.
"Had these men not been arrested I'm sure this gang would have gone on to offend again, employing a similar level of incompetency and violence.
"The bank staff and customer were put in fear for their own safety when they were simply going about their day to day business and they are the victims in this case.
"I hope that the sentences passed will go some way and reassuring them that these men are no longer a risk to the public."
The trial took place at Lincoln Crown Court in Ausgust. At its conclusion, Judge Sean Morris told the men: "You were all in this together.
"This offence was a carefully planned, professional armed bank robbery.
"The staff were made the subject of the most terrifying ordeal as was the customer.
"It is something that will live with them for the rest of their lives. You should hang your heads in shame for what you have put them through."
