A CRIME writer who penned a book called The Art Of Armed Robbery was today given a minimum 12-year jail term after being convicted of robbing security guards filling cash machines.

Terry Smith, 51, from Canvey, was found guilty of conspiring to rob and conspiring to possess firearms with intent to rob after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

His brother Len, 52, of Dagenham, was found not guilty of the same charges by jurors. Both men had denied any offence.

Prosecutors alleged that the brothers were involved in attacks on security guards delivering cash to hole-in-the-wall machines in east London and Essex between 2006 and 2008.

Detectives estimated that £250,000 was stolen and during one raid, at Rayleigh station in May 2007, commuter Adam Mapleson was shot and injured.