A third member of an armed gang who burst into a Norwich jewellery store, leaving workers fearing for their lives and that a terrorist attack was taking place in the city, has been sentenced.
Beth Johnson, 38, was working at Stuart Robinson's Jewellers in Swan Lane when three men burst into the store carrying imitation firearms and a crow bar during a terrifying raid which was caught on the store's CCTV.
She and the shop's owner, Stuart Robinson, had the weapons pointed at them and were both sprayed with pepper spray by the raiders who stole jewellery with a cost value of at least £130,000. It has not been recovered.
Tomas Masnauskas, 24, and Edgaras Blazaitis, 23, and of no fixed abode, were both jailed for nine years and four months at Norwich Crown Court last week after having previously admitted offences of robbery, possession of a prohibited weapon and having an imitation firearm with intent to cause an indictable offence.
Today a third defendant, Alanas Andriusis, 18, of no fixed abode, who had also admitted the same offences, was sentenced to eight years detention by Judge Nicholas Coleman who described the robbery, which happened in February, as 'absolutely terrifying for those inside the shop'.
Chris Youell, prosecuting, said he was seen on CCTV to point the weapon at Mrs Johnson who he also sprayed with pepper spray.
Rebecca Wastall, for Andriusis, who was just 17 at the time, said one of the main points of mitigation was his age and previous good character.
She said he had not tried to justify his actions or blame others and took responsibility for his actions on that day.
As previously reported Mrs Johnson, speaking after the case, said: 'At the time it happened it was when all the stuff was going on in France to do with the terrorists. I really didn't know whether we were going to be the next victims of some terrorist attack.'
Although she was 'happy' with the sentences, the mother-of-three who had worked at the jewellers for 15 years has not been able to go back to work and during the robbery though what would happen to her children if she died.
A statement read on behalf of Mr Robinson said he 'feared for his life' and was 'scared' for Mrs Johnson during the raid.
DC Richard Long, of Bethel Street CID, said: 'This lengthy punishment for Andriusis rounds off a successful policing operation and I wish to reiterate my praise for everyone that worked so hard to get justice for the victims of this callous robbery.
'The victims of this crime, and indeed members of the public in general, can now be reassured that all three men will now be behind bars for the foreseeable future.'
Have you got a crime story? Email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk
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