Scott Kenny fled the country after the violent robbery at the Co-op store in Gosport in December 2007.

But now he faces years in jail after a judge found he was one of the two masked men that snatched more than £65,000 in cash from security guards.

Kenny, along with David Ball, targeted the Co-op in Gregson Avenue, Bridgemary, at 7am on December 18, 2007.

The pair wielded weapons and snatched cash boxes from a security van containing around £65,000.

During the robbery, one shopper was also attacked with a crowbar.

The men then made off in a Volkswagen Golf that was parked outside the shop.

Detectives later recovered £23,000 of the stolen money by a nearby lake but the remaining cash is outstanding.

Ball, 21, along with two other men were arrested soon after the robbery.

But Kenny, 24, of St Albans Road, Havant, went on the run and disappeared to Holland.

He was tracked down in August 2008 and brought back to the UK to stand trial.

During a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court Kenny claimed that he had provided the getaway car for the gang but denied taking part in the robbery.

But after hearing evidence from eye witnesses, forensic experts and Kenny himself Judge Ian Pearson rejected his account.

He decided that Kenny was one of the organisers of the raid and had taken part in it.

Judge Pearson said: 'It is an irresistible inference from the evidence I have heard that you and Ball were the robbers in the case.

'I am satisfied that your alibi that you were asleep at the time of the robbery is not accurate and there is no evidence to support it.'

Detective Constable Dave Bone said: 'This offence was committed by a highly organised crime group, who used extreme violence as a tool to get the job done.

'I am pleased that we were able to bring Scott Kenny to task, and that we have provided some comfort to those persons who had to go through this terrifying ordeal.'

Kenny admitted conspiracy to rob.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on August 21.

JAILED INDEFINITELY

David Ball was jailed indefinitely in September 2008 by Judge Ian Pearson.

He will serve a minimum of four years in prison before he can be considered for release. But he will remain behind bars until he is no longer a danger to the public.

Ball, 21, of Binley Woods, Coventry, admitted taking part in the Gosport robbery.

He also admitted a further offence of an attempted robbery that took place in Northampton.

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