Robber jailed over role in city jewellery heist

A robber has been jailed for his role in a dramatic jewellery heist that was captured on camera.

Luke Boden was one of two helmet-wearing raiders who targeted Cope Jewellers in Nottingham and stole £130,000 worth of watches.

One of the offenders, who has not been traced, smashed glass display units with a lump hammer, CCTV showed, while Boden waited by the door.

The 29-year-old, of Maud Street in New Basford, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday to seven years after admitting robbery, attempted robbery and driving whilst disqualified.

Police said the raiders made off with 25 high-value watches on 3 September.

Within days of the robbery, unemployed Boden had a newly-purchased £6,000 car and had spent hundreds of pounds at JD Sports.

In a victim impact statement, the business owner said: "Witnessing two men, dressed in black, wearing motorcycle gear whilst they barricaded the door and smashed the display cabinets with a hammer, was traumatising, and I will never forget it."

An elderly customer was also pushed by one of the robbers as he attempted to flee the shop, police said.

On the same day a jewellery stall in High Street in Long Eaton was targeted, with police saying both incidents were linked.

'Lasting impact'

Police said they received information three days later that Boden was involved in the Nottingham robbery and that the motorbike used in the getaway was dumped in bushes near City Hospital.

Detectives later found CCTV connecting Boden to the incident and found an Audi A3 parked outside his address, which had been purchased after the robbery.

When police raided his home on 8 September, officers seized a large quantity of cash, clothes and two yellow JD Sports bag.

Following Boden's sentencing, Det Insp Chris Berryman said: "These two incidents have left a lasting impact on all of those involved and I am pleased Boden has been swiftly brought to justice."