A getaway driver for thugs who terrified three families by robbing their homes at knife-point has been jailed.

James McCreadie, of Linden Drive, Sheerness, collected Alfie Spain, 24, and Freddie Hanratty, 20, who were travelling down from London, from Sittingbourne railway station.

The 40-year-old drove to Sheerness while his two passengers put on disguises and disposable gloves.

McCreadie dropped Spain and Hanratty, who were armed with knives, in the town where they forced their way into three separate homes, starting in Alexandra Road.

There they threatened a man inside who was later seen running into the road with a five-inch stab wound to his right shoulder.

The thugs, one wearing a balaclava helmet, chased and lunged at him. They eventually left empty-handed in McCreadie's car.

Spain and Hanratty then committed two more robberies in Victoria Street and Queensway.

At Victoria Street they smashed four mobile phones and stole £200 in cash.

At Queensway, they forced their way into a home where two young children aged three and six were present and demanded "weed and cash" while holding a 10-inch kitchen knife to the face of the children's father, Henry Enright.

After each attack McCreadie was seen to collect the two thieves in his car.

All of the attacks took place last March.

PC Emma Laimbeer, the investigating officer said: "There is no doubt he was aware of their plans and as such should take equal responsibility for the terrible ordeal suffered by the victims."

Hanratty and Spain were arrested in April last year, while McCreadie was detained in June.

Spain and Hanratty had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and the former has been jailed for eight years and three months while the latter is sentenced to six years in a young offenders' institution.

Their initial sentences - six years for Spain and four for Hanratty - were extended in November after the Court of Appeal ruled they were "unduly lenient".

McCreadie was later charged with conspiracy to rob and pleaded not guilty.

He was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday.

PC Laimbeer said: "McCreadie was a key member of the gang and provided the transport for their criminal enterprise.

"He is now rightfully behind bars and I would like to thank the victims and witnesses whose assistance ensured these violent men were brought to justice."