Motocross stars jailed

Three motocross riders were each jailed for nine years today after carrying out a series of armed robberies for kicks.

They were among the country's leading riders, competing for national titles. One was rated as a possible future world champion, already earning £50,000-a-year in sponsorship.

But they were not content with the thrills they got from the sport and were part of an organised and ruthless gang responsible for two car-jackings and 12 violent raids on shops, off-licences, a petrol station and a post office over a period of only eight weeks.

Matthew Dove, 20, Gareth Davies, 21, and Thomas Chesterman, who turned 19 today, were found guilty of conspiracy to rob.

With their boy-band looks, designer suits and bleached-blond hairstyles, one defence barrister said of them: "They were hardly Al Capone - more like Westlife with a hangover."

A jury heard members of the gang "steamed" into stores across Surrey and the Thames Valley wearing balaclavas and masks while brandishing guns and knives, before escaping in a getaway car. Victims were threatened,