Estonian jailed for 10 years for armed shop raids in Leeds and Blackpool

Algo Toomits tricked his way into Berry’s jewellers in Albion Street, Leeds, in February 2007 posing as a customer to get through the security.

But once inside he produced what appeared to be a handgun and three other men then followed him in and began smashing the display counters.

Mehran Nassiri, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday the gang helped themselves to watches including ones made by Rolex and Patek Phillipe worth £374,000.

Toomits was seen on CCTV footage wearing a distinctive jacket and pair of shoes.

Estonian authorities later recovered them during a search at his home.

Mr Nassiri said in October 2006 he was involved in a similar robbery at jewellers in Blackpool.

A smartly dress man wearing a flat cap was allowed to enter through the electronic security and he produced a handgun shouting to staff to get down on the floor pointing the gun directly at them.

Two more men, one of them Toomits, then entered and smashing up the display counters with hammers, stealing watches worth £250,000 but one of the hammers was left behind and Toomits’ DNA was found on it.

Mr Nassiri said police interviewed Toomits in 2007 but by then he was in jail in Estonia for narcotics offences. He was extradited to the UK this May after completing his sentence.

Toomits, 31, admitted two charges of robbery and two of having imitation firearms.

Alastair Edie, representing him, said he was recruited at the time because he needed money to fund his addiction to amphetamine as “he was injecting speed”.

While in custody he had managed to get himself clean of the drug and wanted on his release to study psychology at university.

Jailing Toomits, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said he accepted he was not the organiser of the gang but was part of a professional operation which involved meticulous planning and “ruthless precision”.

Police were tracking down those responsible “one by one”.

“It must be understood by all who engage in such crimes, particularly crimes launched and organised from overseas, that they will receive substantial sentences when caught.”