A brave jewel shop boss, who fought back against violent armed robbers, today vowed he would not let them beat him.

Sam Brown fell down a flight of stairs after he was kicked in the stomach by a man wielding a sledgehammer. But the plucky manager of Lister Horsfall jewellers in Ilkley chased the gang out of the shop and grappled with one of them before he was threatened with the sledgehammer.

After two of the gang were each jailed for 12 years yesterday for their part in raids which netted more than £830,000 in jewels and cash in two months, Mr Brown said: “I didn’t think about it at the time. I don’t think I was being brave. It makes you consider the career you’re in, but I wont let it get in the way of doing my job.”

Kiiam Kirby, of Normanton Place, Beeston, Leeds, and Sam Hall, of Recreation Grove, Holbeck, Leeds, both 22, were jailed at Leeds Crown Court for their roles in a spate of six robberies and one attempted robbery in less than two months, at High Street jewellers and banks in West Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Prosecutor Katherine Robinson said the men were part of a team who carried out the violent offences, using sledgehammers to smash their way into the premises and threaten staff and the public.

During two of the robberies a firearm or imitation firearm was used to threaten those present, Miss Robinson said.

At least ten stolen cars, many of high value, were used as getaway vehicles. The robberies were professionally planned, and the total value of property stolen was £831,860.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob. Hall was on bail for a house burglary at the time of the robberies. He was jailed for ten years for the conspiracy with a further two years for the burglary. Kirby was imprisoned for 12 years for the conspiracy.

Police are still hunting at least one other member of the gang.

The first raid was at the Santander Bank in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, in July last year. Nothing was stolen but Kirby was arrested in connection with it and bailed by Derbyshire Police, before going on to commit the other offences.

On August 2, the gang raided S. Manning jewellers, in New Market Street, Otley, in which Rolex watches and diamond jewellery was taken. An elderly woman confronted the robbers but was pulled away by her daughters.

Then on August 12, the robbers struck at Neimantas jewellers, in Commercial Street, Brighouse, and a week later targeted the same shop. One masked raider pointed a handgun at owner Steven Neimantas. As the robbers fled the shop, one of them told Mr Neimantas: “Sorry about this.”

Robberies followed at the Santander Bank in Otley and a jewellery shop in Wetherby, before the final raid on Lister Horsfall in Brook Street, Ilkley, on September 8.

Mr Brown grabbed one fleeing robber in a bear hug in the street and held him to the ground, as the suspect ripped buttons off his clothing. The manager let go when a man emerged from the getaway car with a sledgehammer.

Kirby was arrested at his home, but Hall was detained by police at the Chevin Lodge Hotel, Otley, where he had been staying with his girlfriend in a £195 per night suite.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Brown said it had made him question whether he wanted to have his life put at risk. Mr Neimantas said he had considered selling the business.

Judge Sally Cahill QC said the violence offered to those working in the shops and customers was an aggravating feature.

After the case, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Beldon, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “These men were callous and calculated, terrifying innocent members of the public.”