A gang of five men has been ordered to repay almost a quarter of a million pounds following a violent and brazen daylight robbery at a Birmingham jewellery store.
The Terrifying Daylight Heist
On March 3, 2022, the criminals executed a shocking ram-raid on Danyaal Jewellers in Sparkbrook. Using a stolen Toyota Hilux, they smashed directly through the shop front. Three of the men then entered the premises armed with a sledgehammer, which they used to shatter display cabinets and steal valuable jewellery.
While the theft was underway, another member of the gang took on the role of crowd control, brandishing an axe to intimidate and threaten potential witnesses. The entire incident was captured on the store's CCTV system and by members of the public on their mobile phones, creating dramatic footage of the crime.
Justice Served: Convictions and Financial Repayment
After a four-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, all five men were found guilty of conspiracy to rob and possessing an offensive weapon. The court handed down substantial prison sentences, totalling 72-and-a-half years for their roles in the heist.
The legal consequences did not end there. Following an investigation by the police's Economic Crime Unit, a financial penalty was imposed. The court ordered the ram-raiders to repay a total of almost £250,000. A specific amount of £180,075 must be paid within three months, with the threat of an additional nine months in prison for any of the men who fail to comply.
A Lifetime Debt and Lasting Impact
This case highlights the principle that crime should not pay. Any remaining balance from the stolen funds will be a lifetime debt, pursued from the gang for the rest of their lives until the full amount is recovered.
Financial Investigator Andrew Reedman emphasised that the police's role continues long after a sentence is passed, stating that the lengthy investigation was specifically undertaken to review the gang's assets and recover the proceeds of their crime.
The police also confirmed that this serious offence had a major impact on the victims and the business involved, underscoring the human and commercial cost of such a violent robbery.
