Sledgehammer-wielding thief in balaclava smashed window of Leeds city-centre jewellers during busy working day
Quick-thinking staff pulled down shutters before valuables were snatched
A would-be thief tried to smash his way into a jewellers window display with a sledgehammer as shocked shoppers looked on.
Jayson Worth swung the heavy weapon up to 10 times as he tried to steal from Prestigious Jewellers in Leeds city centre.
It was only the quick-thinking owners who were able to pull down the shutters to prevent him from grabbing any valuables.
Worth was spared immediate custody after Leeds Crown Court heard he had severe mental-health problems, although his exact diagnosis was not disclosed.
The court heard that the 37-year-old walked into Leeds wearing a balaclava and holding the large hammer, approaching the jewellers in Thornton’s Arcade at around 2pm on August 19, 2024.
He then lifted up the hammer and began to swing it towards the window, striking it multiple times and causing it to smash.
The managing director and his wife, who were just two metres away from him inside, immediately began to trigger the shutters.
Prosecutor Saarah Tailor there had been a shelf of expensive jewellery items behind the smashed window, but Worth was unable to get to them.
The damage caused to the jewellers came to more than £7,130.
Worth then fled and walked towards The Headrow while still carrying the hammer and wearing his balaclava.
CCTV was able to follow him and he was seen depositing the hammer in a public bin on New Briggate. He also removed his face covering.
He was detained by police as he then walked towards Vicar Lane.
Worth, of Waincliffe Mount, Beeston, gave a no-comment interview but later pleaded guilty to attempted theft. He has 12 previous convictions for 20 offences.
Mitigating, Nicholas Hammond said Worth “clearly had mental-health problems”, but did not go into detail.
He said he was now in stable accommodation and receiving help from the counselling service, Forward Leeds, for his substance abuse.
The court heard that Worth did not remember the offence, having taken drugs at the time.
The judge, Recorder Ruwena Khan told Worth: “No doubt it would have worried a significant number of people, causing them to fear for their own safety.
“It was targeted and quite violently done, with no apparent consideration for anyone inside.”
She gave him a 24-month sentence, suspended for 24 months, with a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement, 25 rehabilitation days with probation, and a six-month GPS tracking tag attached.
He was also told to pay £250 compensation to cover the jewellers’ insurance excess payment.