A security guard was clubbed to the ground by a masked gang who made off with four new Volkswagen cars worth a total of £71,985, a court heard.

Aaron Flemon, 22, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Friday for his part in the robbery and attack on nightwatchman Graham George, on January 26.

The gang left Mr George needing 40 stitches to his head.

The court heard that a group of men wearing scarves and balaclavas jumped on Mr George as he patrolled a vehicle compound in Forest Hill, near Oxford, at 4.30am.

Nikki Duncan, prosecuting, said he was hit on the head several times with a weapon and forced to hand over keys to the gate.

Mr George, employed by Oxford Fleet Management, then heard a number of cars being driven away.

Two of the cars were found abandoned nearby in Wheatley. Another was recovered in Leicester, and Flemon was arrested driving the fourth, a silver Golf GTI, around the Bretch Hill housing estate in Banbury on January 30.

Flemon, of Broughton Road, Banbury, initially told police he had bought the car for £500.

But video evidence from a petrol station revealed he had driven the car, while disqualified, on the night of the robbery.

He later pleaded guilty to robbery on the basis that he did not personally assault Mr George but knew the others might have to use force in the raid.

No-one else has been charged in connection with the incident.

John Simmons, defending, asked the court to take into account Flemon's age, remorse, guilty plea and lack of serious previous convictions for violence.

He said Flemon was immature and had told him "it was a very nice car". Jailing Flemon, Judge Julian Hall said this was an extremely serious offence in which a security guard working alone had been clubbed to the ground.

"The least sentence I can pass is one of six years in prison," he said, adding that Flemon would remain in custody for at least four years.

The court heard Mr George had returned to work but felt nervous and no longer worked alone.