A Mitcham man has been jailed for 15 years for killing an ex-hospital worker and taking part in a series of brutal robberies during a six-week crime "spree".

Andrew Docherty, 58, of Wingate Crescent, Mitcham, and east London accomplice Francis Carbon, 20, who got 11 years in jail for the killing and robberies, received their sentences on Friday at the Old Bailey.

The pair pleaded guilty to a series of robberies last year netting them somewhere approaching £20,000. Both also admitted the manslaughter of Michael Reaney, 54, at his flat in Streatham Common North, SW16.

Mr Reaney's decomposing body was discovered by a neighbour on June 10 last year.

He had been bound and gagged with tape which restricted his breathing and died after vomiting.

Detective Inspector Julian Wyard said the dead man, who used to work as a technician at St George's Hospital, Tooting, was a loner.

He said: "The manner in which Mr Reaney died and the indignity in which he was left to die and be discovered is horrific to contemplate."

The pair subjected private residents and Unwins' off-licence staff to "terrifying" ordeals across south-east London, from May 18 last year up until their arrest, on June 25, as they prepared for another "job".

They typically conned their way into households and then subjected their victims to brutal physical assaults, some with sexual elements involved, before robbing them.

One woman has been left traumatised after nearly losing an eye while another had a tooth knocked out after she started screaming.

Six Unwins off-licences were also held up and robbed by the men, who terrorised staff with an imitation handgun, threatening, in some instances, to "blow their brains out".

Carbon pleaded guilty to 22 charges and Docherty admitted 14 similar ones ranging from robbery and manslaughter to possession of an imitation firearm.

Carbon also asked for 13 additional robbery offences to be taken into account.

Both sentenced men had previous convictions.