A MODERN-day 'Fagin' who used schoolboys to help rob cash-transit vehicles has been jailed for eight years.

Ali Lwanga, 21, made more than £100,000 robbing Securicor vans - including one at Opal Money Transfer, in Leytonstone Road , which net him £25,000.

But his gang, some members as young as 14 and dressed in their school uniforms, were paid a pittance for assisting him.

During his trial, at Wood Green Crown Court, evidence wa presented showing how Smartwater, an invisible liquid which can only be seen under unltra-violet light, played a crucial role.

The chemical, installed in the blue security dye in G4S cashboxes, meant the recovered money could easily be traced.

Lwanga was convicted of conspiring to rob a security van as it made a delivery on January 18.

Dye-stained cash was later found beneath a mattress at his aunt's house, including some from the Leytonstone robbery, which happened on December 17 last year.

Lwanga, of Canning Town, east London, was found guilty of conspiracy to rob and concealing criminal property.

Lwanga was convicted of conspiring to rob a security van as it made a delivery on January 18.

A 16-year-old male youth was sentenced to three and a half years, while three more teenagers, aged 14, 15 and 16, were caged for 18 months.