52 years for axe robbers

A gang of armed robbers who tore a trail of terror across the West Midlands and South Staffordshire were today starting prison sentences totalling 52 years.

The hooded thugs struck at least 11 times in four months, targeting three jewellers, a bookmakers and a string of homes from which they escaped with luxury cars and goods worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Seven men were given prison terms ranging from five to 10 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to rob between October 2010 and January 2011.

• See CCTV images from the raid on CNW jewellers in Kinver

Dramatic images were released today of a raid on CNW jewellers in Kinver, in which the men burst in wearing balaclavas and armed with weapons including an axe and a hammer.

CCTV film shows them brushing past two terrified customers, forcing one onto the floor, before vaulting the counter to smash display cabinets, filling bags with £3,500 of jewellery.

The raid was over in a couple of minutes before they fled in a waiting get-away car but its aftermath is still being felt by the victims, the court was told.

Shop owner Clive Willetts has developed heart problems since the attack. He revealed: "I am constantly reliving the incident in my head and my health has been affected."

Gang leader, 31-year-old Waheed Zaman, of Calshot Road, Great Barr, received 10 years. One of his 'lieutenants' was former professional footballer Ryan Jones, aged 22, from Walsall, whose career with Coventry City was wrecked by injury. He received nine years as did Zaman's cousin Imran, 23.

The gang, smashed by a joint police operation involving the West Midlands and Staffordshire forces, used a handgun, stun gun, machete, axes, hammers and a home made police-style battering ram while ruthlessly attacking anybody who got in their way.

One even dressed in a full length burqa that covered his face and body to trick staff into opening a security door through which the rest of the gang then rushed.

On another occasion the robbers escaped with £9,000 worth of gold rings in just 25 seconds after battering down the entrance to Laxmi jewellers in Walsall.

The gang also stole a string of top-of-the range cars including a £70,000 Audi RS6, in raids on homes. Prosecutor Stephen Thomas told the court:

"Waheed Zaman was at the apex of the conspiracy."

Judge Michael Challinor told the gang: "Some victims have been greatly, perhaps permanently, affected. A gun was pointed and a Taser used. The public must know that this kind of professional offending will always attract substantial sentences."

Video footage from raid at Laxmi jewellers in Walsall taken at the time. See the original report.