Video: Jewellers attack masked raiders with hammer and baseball bat

Between July 18 and September 8 last year the raiders struck twice as security staff were filling cash machines at banks and five times at jewellers shops, including two robberies at Neimantas in Brighouse in the space of a week.

Windows and doors were smashed, staff were threatened by masked men with sledgehammers and on occasions with an imitation gun.

Jailing Kiiam Paul Kirby and Sam Hall for 12 years each yesterday at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Sally Cahill QC said for those threatened with the gun “it was every bit as terrifying as a real one”.

She said the gang’s actions had caused long-term fear to many of those targeted, some of whom were now considering selling their businesses as a result.

Kirby, 22 of Normanton Place, Beeston, and Hall, 22, of Recreation Grove, Holbeck, both Leeds, each admitted conspiracy to rob and Hall admitted a burglary at a pub.

Katherine Robinson prosecuting said on July 18 two men wearing balaclavas smashed the door into the Santander bank in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, after the bank had closed but left empty-handed.

On August 2 eight Rolex watches were among items taken from Manning’s jewellers in New Market Street, Otley, after a window was smashed in front of horrified shoppers.

Ten days later the raiders struck for the first time at the jewellers in Brighouse, with one raider grabbing items after smashing the window while another kicked in the door before they were chased away by the owner with a baseball bat.

On August 19 three men arrived at Neimantas and one wearing a balaclava kicked in the door pointing a gun at those inside while another stole jewellery with a retail value of more than £100,000.

Miss Robinson said that on August 25 raiders struck at Santander in Kirkgate, Otley, stealing £22,000 as security staff were filling a cash machine.

On September 2, Caines Jewellers in Wetherby High Street was robbed with Lister Horsfall Jewellers in Ilkley the next targeted on September 8.

Richard Reed, for Hall, said he accepted he was the getaway driver on four occasions but was not the organiser behind the robberies.

After the case Detective Chief Inspector Simon Beldon said they were dangerous criminals who threatened staff and terrified innocent members of the public.