A Highbury man who was part of a moped gang which smashed mobile phone shops has been jailed for five years and three months.

Jack Hennessy, 19, of Roseleigh Avenue, was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday.

He was part of a gang which targeted phone shops in north and east London, and had admitted conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary at the same court last month.

Hennessy was caught in High Road, Haringey, in August 2016. Accompanied by three other men on two mopeds, Hennessy used a concrete block to break the shutter of the shop.

They stole phones from the shop but police were waiting by the time they got out, having been alerted by members of the public. Hennessy was arrested and found in possession of six-inch knife concealed in his waistband.

Det Sgt Danny Watts said today: “Hennessy was among a group of dangerous men who targeted a chain of mobile phone shops.

“The judge has handed down a robust sentence and it sends a clear message to criminals engaged in crimes using mopeds – if you commit such an offence we will find you and prosecute you, and if convicted, you could be looking at a long time inside.”

Hennessy is the 11th male to be convicted for 17 aggravated burglaries in mobile phone stores across east and north London. These took place between May and November 2016.

The gang stole phones and tablets and caused significant damage to the mobile phone stores. The total cost of phones and damage to the properties is estimated to exceed £1.3million.