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A gang of armed robbers who threatened and tied up a shopkeeper have been jailed after stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment.

Jermaine Williams, Benjamin Need, Mark Earl and Gary Newman all took part in a raid on a tech shop in Solihull in March last year.

They entered the business wearing masks and carrying knives.

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They tied up a staff member and threated the victim with their blades before jumping in a company van which they filled with stolen equipment.

But, sadly for the crooks, the van they stole was fitted with a tracker.

Williams was caught within 10 minutes of police being called.

The remaining members of the group were identified and arrested by officers from Solihull Local Policing Area's investigations department.

A fifth man, Patrick Cooke, was not involved in the robbery itself, but was found in possession of some of the stolen goods.

Williams and Need both pleaded guilty, while Newman, Earl and Cooke were all convicted at trial.

The group were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on May 30.

Williams, 38, of Chelmsley Wood was sentenced to nine years behind bars.

Need, 33, of Smiths Wood, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Earl, 39, of Chelmsley Wood was sentenced to six years in prison.

Cook, 39, of Solihull was jailed for two years, suspended for 12 months.

Detective Constable Emily Fowler, from Solihull Local Policing Area, said: "This was a frightening armed robbery in which a member of staff was tied up and threatened with knives.

"This shows the casual disregard of these men for the safety of the public.