Two brothers nicknamed the Benson & Hedges gang have been jailed for a total of 22 years for terrorising shopkeepers during a campaign of crime.

David and Simon Whittle threatened shop staff with knives, a screwdriver and a wheel brace during a series of robberies which struck fear into their victims across Brighton and Hove.

Police nicknamed them the Benson & Hedges gang because of their penchant for grabbing cigarettes as well as cash during the hold-ups.

They carried out a catalogue of crimes after moving into the area to prey on vulnerable staff in shops and off-licences.

One of their victims was head-butted so hard he fell unconscious to the floor of the off-licence where he worked.

Others suffered such trauma that they are still coming to terms with their ordeals.

Their victims included a teenager who feared he would be stabbed during one of the raids.

The pair lived a transient life during their three-week crime spree, moving from address to address throughout the city.

Jailing the brothers at Lewes Crown Court, Judge Richard Brown told them: "You set off on a joint campaign of robbery.

"You chose vulnerable shop premises and frightened the life out of some shop assistants by threatening them.

"Both of you are a great danger to shopkeepers and only a substantial custodial sentence can be justified."

The robberies netted the brothers almost £6,000 between April 21 and May 9 this year.

When Simon was caught after a police chase, David went on to commit more offences in Norfolk with teenager Darren Davis, 16, of Susans Road, Eastbourne.

David Whittle, 28, of no fixed address, admitted eight robberies, one attempted robbery and one charge of aggravated vehicle taking. He asked for seven other offences to be taken into consideration.

Whittle, who has 97 previous convictions, was jailed for 12 years and given a three-year driving ban.

Simon Whittle, 30, also of no fixed address, admitted seven robberies and asked for nine offences to be taken into consideration.

He has 117 previous convictions and was sentenced to ten years. He was also ordered to serve a further two years in jail, which was the remainder of an eight-year prison term for robbery. He was sentenced in 1988 and released early.

Davis, who admitted robbery, attempted robbery and aggravated vehicle taking, was given a deferred sentence until January 13 next year.

Marcus Fletcher, prosecuting, told the court of the catalogue of crimes:

April 22 - Texaco Garage, Telscombe Cliffs, £1,707 cash taken plus telephone cards and cigarettes
April 24 - Co-op, High Street, Rottingdean, £1,330 stolen
April 30 - Threshers, Holland Road, Hove, about £380 plus cigarettes stolen
May 3 - Asda, Brighton Marina, £1,300 cash stolen
May 6 - Threshers, Western Road, Hove. The pair left with £766
May 8 - Threshers, Longridge Avenue, Saltdean, £200 stolen
May 9 - Total petrol station, Dover, Kent. £125 cash grabbed. Simon was caught after a police chase.

Mr Fletcher said David went to Norfolk where he and Davis targeted two filling stations in Great Yarmouth. £186 was taken from one. They fled in a stolen car but were captured after a police chase.

The court heard both brothers are carriers of the fatal hereditary disease Huntington's Chorea and Simon is already showing symptoms.

John Marsden-Lynch, defending, said: "There is a very bleak future ahead for Simon Whittle."

Pierce Power, defending David Whittle, said: "The orgy of offences seemed to have come about because of the media coverage of the first offence. He thought he had nothing to lose by carrying out more.

"He will die young as a consequence of the disease."

Ms K Beswick, defending Davis, said: "He played no part in the threats of violence. He is very sorry for his involvement."