A gang of robbers who pistol whipped an employee and stole almost £80,000 from an ASDA supermarket in Stamford Hill, had been helped to plan the “horrific” violent raid by the in-store baker.

Parminder Bharij, 30, of Woolwich Road, Greenwich, who had been demoted from his previous role as a cashier, helped Fabian Campbell, 26, of Slagrove Place, Lewisham, and Hassan Hussyein, 25 of Southend Lane, Beckenham, plan the robbery at the Clapton Common branch.

On February 4 just before 11.30pm, Campbell, Hussyein and another person - who has still not been identified - parked at the back of the shop and went in through the rear staff entrance, to the loading bay.

Inside they attacked a 52-year-old employee, pushing him to the floor and holding a gun to his head, demanding he take them to the shop office.

Fearing for his life, he did as they asked.

Whilst in the office, a 23-year-old employee walked in on them.

The robbers grabbed him and demanded he open the safe in the cash room next door.

When he initially resisted, one of the men pistol-whipped him and sprayed CS gas into his eyes.

Once the victim opened the safe, one of the gang unloaded around £80,000 cash into a hold-all, while the others continued to assault him.

The gang tied up both men and made their escape, tying a 30-year old male employee to a stock trolley in the loading bay on their way out, before making their getaway by car.

The victims were treated for shock, and the 23-year-old was taken to hospital with head injuries but discharged himself the following morning.

DC Andy Terry, from the Flying Squad who led the investigation, said: “The gang plotted a raid on the supermarket using Bharij’s knowledge of its layout, staffing and the work patterns to help them.

“They demonstrated their willingness to be violent to the staff who were just going about their usual work that night but will now doubtless spend the rest of their lives recalling this horrific incident.”

Forensic evidence linked Campbell to the scene, and Flying Squad detectives trawled through hours of CCTV evidence to trace the car back to Hussyein.

All three were found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery at the Old Bailey yesterday, and will be sentenced next Monday.

Campbell and Hussyein were also found guilty of possession of an imitation handgun with intent to commit robbery.