An armed gang who forced their way into a Bradford jeweller’s shop had to smash their way back out when the quick-thinking owner activated the security shutters, trapping them inside.

A judge was yesterday shown dramatic CCTV footage of the raid at The Gold Shop, in Wakefield Road, Dudley Hill, as three intruders, armed with a machete, sledgehammer and baseball bat, targeted the premises in a professional robbery.

They are seen forcing their way into the family-run business, as the owner, two members of staff and a customer flee to a secure room.

The raiders, who are all disguised, are captured leaping over the counters, using their weapons to smash glass cabinets and stuffing jewellery into a bag, before they realise the shutters have come down.

They then frantically batter the metal doors to make their escape.

Jailing one of the gang, Liam Benson, 30, for eight years, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said: “This was a professional, planned commercial robbery by a gang who displayed strength and ferocity, and a degree of coolness.”

Prosecutor Dave MacKay told Bradford Crown Court the raid took place at 11.40am on May 23 this year. A Golf car, which had been stolen and featured false plates, pulled up outside the shop and three men, wearing tracksuits and with their heads and faces covered, got out.

The gang smashed their way through two doors to gain entry, but the owner, Maurice Willan, managed to activate the SmartWater system and the roller shutters, sealing the robbers inside.

The raiders, who were inside the premises for just two and a half minutes, escaped with jewellery and watches worth more than £100,000, which have not been recovered. The car was found partially burned out. A palm print belonging to Benson was found on one of the glass cabinets in the shop.

The court heard Benson, of Third Avenue, Rothwell, Leeds, who pleaded guilty to robbery, had been convicted of an offence of burglary with violence in 2005, when a group of men broke into the home of a 92-year-old woman.

Benson’s barrister, Carl Chambers, said his client admitted to his guilt at the earliest chance and had attended the police station voluntarily.

Judge Durham Hall said the gang had caused significant damage and terror to the staff and customers. He said it was not clear which weapon Benson was holding, but the evidence suggested he was one of the men who leaped on to the counters.

He added Benson was a full player “in this most frightening incident”.

Mr Willan welcomed the sentence and revealed he had spent £15,000 on extra security, including steel doors and bullet-proof glass. He said: “It was horrible watching these people smashing up my property. I felt helpless.

“We could hear all the banging and smashing, but we couldn’t do anything.

“It makes me even more determined to do what I am doing. You can’t let these people win.”

Detective Constable Dean Smith said: “Liam Benson did not think twice about using a weapon to steal high-value items. This was a well-planned offence, and it has caused considerable distress to the victim and witnesses involved. The custodial sentence given to Benson sends a very strong message that such crimes will be investigated thoroughly, and those who commit them will be identified and will be prosecuted.”

Three other men have been bailed pending forensic inquiries in connection with the incident.