A burglar who was caught red-handed stealing gems from the window of a Norwich jewellers after a quick-thinking manager closed the security grilles to trap him has been jailed.

Police were called to Dipples and Son, in Swan Lane, in the city centre, to reports a man had smashed a window in the entrance arcade with a hammer.

The thief had started putting jewellery from display cases into a bag, but before he could make his getaway, the outside grilles had been lowered and prevented his escape. He was left trapped in the small space for several minutes before police arrived to take him away on Monday, February 25 this year.

Daniel Hutton, 29, of Lothian Road, Norwich, pleaded guilty to burglary and stealing a quantity of jewellery worth £3,655 – which has since been recovered – when he appeared before the city magistrates' court earlier this year.

Hutton appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday where he was sentenced to a total of 14 months imprisonment by Judge Nicholas Coleman.

Judge Coleman sentenced Hutton, who also admitted four unrelated counts of theft, to 12 months for the burglary and two months for the first theft count and the other three which were to be concurrent.

Speaking after the case, investigating officer Det Con Mike Cox said: 'This was a very serious incident and a frightening experience for those involved.

'Thankfully no-one was injured and it was the quick-thinking action of staff which led to the suspect being trapped.'

Speaking in February shop manager Chris Ellis said: 'It must have taken about 15 seconds for the grilles to come down, which should have been enough time for him to run off, but he stayed.'