£200,000 Blackburn jewellery robbery: Four guilty (From Lancashire Telegraph)

£200,000 Blackburn jewellery robbery: Four guilty

6:30pm Tuesday 7th July 2009 in

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FOUR men have pleaded guilty to their part in a robbery at a Blackburn jewellers.

The gang of men smashed their way into Ancient and Modern jewellers, New Market Street, and threatened the owner, shop assistants and customers with a sledge hammer and Samurai sword.

The men, who were wearing balaclavas and masks, then filled bags with jewellery worth £200,000, Preston Crown Court heard.

They then fled the scene in a grey Vauxhall Signum, which had been stolen from Middleton in October 2007, two months before the robbery which happened at 4.15pm on December 19.

Shortly after, the car was abandoned in Higson Street, Blackburn, and the offenders made off in a black Mazda Rx8.

The gang who stole jewellery including Rolex watches, diamond rings, earrings and bracelets, were caught after a lengthy police investigation.

Today two men, John Groom, 27, from Allan Roberts Close, Manchester and Jeffery Groom, 30, Traynor Close, Middleton admitted robbery.

Two others, Mark Groom, 36, from Andrew Road, Manchester and Steven Barton, 26, from Traynor Close, Middleton, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.

They will be sentenced on September 4 at Preston Crown Court.

Deputy Senior Investigating Officer Temporary Det Insp Andy Cribben said: “This was a long and complicated police investigation involving numerous police forces and agencies and I am satisfied with the result.

“I would like to thank a number of people from the local community who had confidence in the police to come forward and assist the investigation.

“Their role in providing vital information and evidence throughout the case was crucial in securing these convictions.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to tackling organised crime in East Lancashire and shows that if you come into Lancashire to commit crime you will be subject to a thorough investigation and may face a lengthy prison sentence.”