Three thugs who denied stealing an £8,000 Rolex watch and a car have been jailed for a total of 27 years.

Leigh Wright, 23, George Fraser, 21, and homeless Jarryl Smith, also 21, were each jailed for nine years on Wednesday after a jury found them guilty.

They were all convicted of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at Croydon Crown Court after they car-jacked two men in Mead Place, Croydon.

Police said that the victims, two men in their 30s, were driving towards Mead Place to buy food at about 7pm on October 28 last year, and, when they encountered road works, decided to park and eat nearby.

As they did so the passenger-side door was wrenched open and both men were threatened by Wright, Fraser and Smith, who were all armed.

One of the trio pointed a gun in the passenger's face and dragged him from the car, before snatching his bag, which contained £120 cash, bank cards and a smart phone.

The other two men opened the driver's door and pointed a gun at his head. Then they dragged him out of the car before stealing his Rolex watch, worth some £8,000.

All three jumped into the car and reversed away at speed. The victims then called the police.

The car was later found in Eastney Road, two minutes away from where it had been taken. The bag was found on the ground next to the car, still with the cash inside.

Detective Constable Kim Lim, from Croydon CID, said: "I would like to praise the two victims of this robbery who were brave and quick to act after being faced with a terrifying ordeal.

"It is their attention to detail that has helped us with our investigation and ensured that we caught those responsible."

Fraser will serve an additional year in prison for breaching a suspended sentence, imposed earlier this year for supplying class A and B drugs.