Third man jailed following violent robbery at family-run antiques shop

A third man has been jailed following a violent robbery at a family-run antiques and jewellery shop in St Neots.

At Huntingdon Law Court today (23 October), Albert Smith, 24, of Earith Bridge, Earith, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was found guilty of robbery, grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving at a trial in June.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and two months.

Just after 11am on 23 December 2022, four masked men armed with hammers, crowbars and a metal pole reversed a Ford Fiesta to the front door of Emporium, in Fishers Yard, before storming inside.

The victims, a mother and daughter in their 60s and 40s, were subjected to a terrifying ordeal which led to the closure of the family-run business.

Christopher Thomas smashed the counter and threatened the daughter, who was behind the till. She was threatened multiple times with a crowbar before the cash register was ripped from her grip. Her mother was also threatened.

Albert Smith and one other used hammers to break into display cabinets, stealing gold and silver jewellery worth up to £100,000.

Meanwhile, John Smith stood guard at the door brandishing a metal pole.

As the suspects fled, the daughter was struck by the car and suffered a broken ankle as she attempted to stop them driving away. The Fiesta was driven dangerously through the Market Square, ignoring the one-way system, damaging street furniture and narrowly missing members of the public.

The vehicle was abandoned shortly after on Alington Road which led to a footpath running parallel with the river.

Police Dog Hunter later recovered a bag containing the stolen jewellery hidden in a rotten tree as well as clothing, which combined with CCTV was used to link three of the suspects to the crime scene.

Following a 12-day trial at Huntingdon Law Courts in June, John Smith, 55, of no fixed address, and Christopher Thomas, 45, of Elizabeth Way, Gamlingay, were found guilty of robbery. At Peterborough Crown Court on 22 September, Smith was sentenced to eight years in prison and Thomas to seven years and six months.

Detective Constable Zoe Bramley, who led the investigation, said: “This was a shocking and violent attack on two women who were simply going about their day running a much-loved family business. The level of violence used was appalling, and the impact on the victims has been devastating, ultimately leading to the closure of the business. We hope the sentences served bring some comfort to the family that justice has been served.”