TWO men have appeared in court in connection with raids on jewellery shops in Bradford and Yeadon.

Andrew Smith, 32, and Martin Strickland, 39, were brought from custody for a brief hearing at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court today.

The pair appeared to answer charges of robbery and attempted robbery, and burglary and attempted burglary.

The charges relate to two incidents on Wednesday in which jewellers shops were targeted in separate strikes just over five hours apart.

The first raid happened at H&T Pawnbrokers, in James Street in Bradford city centre, at about 9.45am, with Craven Jewellers in High Street, Yeadon, then hit at around 3.10pm.

Chairman of the bench Peter Creegan adjourned the case for a hearing at Bradford Crown Court on April 29.

Smith, of Rockwell Lane, Thorpe Edge, Bradford, was remanded in custody ahead of the hearing at the Crown Court.

Strickland, of Leeds Road, Thackley, Bradford, was granted conditional bail.