A gang member who robbed a beauticians and left a manager with a broken bone has been jailed for 12 years.

The attack in Beautonics, in Rainham High Street, was caught on CCTV showing hooded and masked thug Dion Hemsworth taking part in the violent incident.

Judge Adele Williams told him: "This was a most unpleasant incident and you played a leading role.

"There were elements of this which were clumsy and amateurish, but it required considerable planning to assemble a team of three, hooded and masked."

Prosecutor Kieran Brand told Maidstone Crown Court how the gang escaped with a cash box with £28 inside on January 31.

Hemsworth, 47, of Goodall Close, Rainham, was tracked by police after leaving behind keys to a car and his blood.

He had denied robbery but was found guilty, although the jury cleared him of having a weapon.

The prosecutor revealed Hemsworth had received a beating as staff defended the shop during the robbery.

Mr Brand said: “That day, he along with two other masked men, entered the beauticians.

"At the time one of the men was seen to be in possession of a firearm or imitation firearm.”

The court heard Steven Goddard was working at Beautonics with another employee named Maureen or Mo.

Customer Susan Allen and workman Paul Pettman were also there.

Mr Brand added: “Shortly after midday, three men wearing masks, gloves and jackets with the hoods up walked into the store.

“The first through the door had his hands in his right pocket and appeared to be holding something. Inside this pocket, say the prosecution, was the firearm.

“This male remains unidentified, as does the third male through the door who appeared to act as a lookout for the majority of the robbery.”

He said Hemsworth - who had served a 10-year sentence for kidnapping 12 years ago - went into the store and pushed Mr Pettman out of the way as the first man demanded cash.

Ms Allen tried to call for help but the phone was knocked from her hand as Mr Goddard armed himself with a pair of scissors and pushed one of the alleged robbers out of the door.

As he did so, the first man then appeared to reveal part of the gun to Mr Goddard, telling him: “You need to be careful”, Mr Brand claimed.

As Hemsworth fled he was followed to the train station and was seen discarding his blood-stained jacket.

Detective Inspector Kris Eberlein said: "Hemsworth was prepared to use violence against innocent shop workers who showed a tremendous amount of courage to stand up to him in what must have been a traumatic situation.

"Forensic evidence and the examination of CCTV footage allowed us to ensure this offender was brought to justice.

"I would also like to thank the victims and witnesses who assisted us throughout the investigation."

"Hemsworth was prepared to use violence against innocent shop workers who showed a tremendous amount of courage to stand up to him in what must have been a traumatic situation" - Kris Eberlein

In 2007 Hemsworth was one of two thugs who viciously threatened and kidnapped a debt collector.

Hemsworth, and a pal, subjected victim Brian Beasley to a terrifying ordeal after forcing their way into his home in Deal in January.

Both men, together with a third accomplice who has never been caught, wore either balaclavas or ski masks. The gang was also armed with a stun gun and axe.

Mr Beasley, who was a branch manager for lending firm Morses Club, had his hands and legs tied up and his mouth gagged with sticky tape before being bundled into the back of his own car and a pillow case pulled over his head.

He was then forced to reveal the PIN to his company credit card before being dumped in a Reculver car park.

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