Two moped robbers who were stopped by officers within minutes of snatching a mobile phone have been jailed.

Tommy Rogers, 20, of Whitmore Estate, Hackney, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, no insurance, dangerous driving and handling stolen goods.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ten months.

Alfie Woods, 18, of Thrasher Close, Hackney was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment for robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, possession of cannabis and handling stolen goods.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Both men were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 12 August, after admitting to the offences at the same court on Monday, 22 July.

At around 6:30pm on Friday, 21 June, moped driver Rogers and pillion passenger Woods mounted the pavement in Hackney Road, E2.

They then snatched a mobile phone from the hands of a female pedestrian.

A short time later, officers in a police car saw the moped being ridden away and pursued it, activating lights and sirens.

The moped was driven on the pavement and almost collided with a member of the public during the pursuit, which came to an end when the pursuing police car made tactical contact.

Rogers was detained and arrested while Woods made off on foot, but officers located and arrested him in Victoria Park and found clothing he has discarded.

Enquiries revealed the number plate on the moped had been stolen earlier that day.

The stolen phone was found next to the moped after it had been stopped and officers carried out searches of both suspects and recovered a quantity of cannabis.

Both men were subsequently charged, and first appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24 June.

Detective Constable Toby Reynolds, from the Operation Venice investigation team, said: “These men snatched a phone from an unsuspecting woman, and then endangered members of the public as they rode through east London trying to evade capture.

“Offenders should know that committing offences on mopeds does not give them an advantage over police, and officers have a number of lawful tactics which they can use to stop perpetrators.

“The Operation Venice team run regular proactive patrols in moped crime hotspots to identify offenders and protect the public.”