TWO men who attacked and robbed a businessman of his pub takings have been jailed.

Christopher Howard, one of the two robbers, was also sentenced for a rape which occurred in Letchworth GC in April this year.

His partner in crime, Oliver Jones, of Ansell Court in Stevenage, was given a 12-year jail term for attacking The Colonnade manager Paul Ward outside Barclays Bank in Letchworth GC town centre on June 13 last year.

Jones, 31, will not be permitted for release until he has served at least seven years.

Howard, 28, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to nine years for his part in the robbery and a further five years for a separate charge of rape, which he will serve consecutively.

Howard was also sentenced to six months for two counts of assault on police officers when he was arrested on suspicion of rape.

Sentencing the pair at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday, Judge Jonathan Haworth told Howard he was a danger to society.

Detective constable Samantha Casey, who oversaw the investigation, said: “We’re pleased with the sentences passed today. “Both of these men have shown abhorrent and despicable behaviour and they have been taken out of society for a considerable amount of time.

“The victims in both of these separate offences were subjected to a harrowing ordeal and have shown incredible bravery throughout, which I would like to commend them for.

“These sentences highlight this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on the streets of Hertfordshire.”