February 15, 2017 4.09 pm This story is over 93 months old

Getaway driver in ‘shocking’ raid on Grimsby jewellery shop jailed

The getaway driver in a “shocking” raid on a Grimsby jewellery shop has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years. Joshua O’Dea, 26, admitted robbery at George Hewitt and Son Jewellers in Victoria Street on March 15, 2016. The heist saw watches valued at £138,350 stolen from the shop, with three masked robbers carrying a sledgehammer, machete…

The getaway driver in a “shocking” raid on a Grimsby jewellery shop has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years.

Joshua O’Dea, 26, admitted robbery at George Hewitt and Son Jewellers in Victoria Street on March 15, 2016.

The heist saw watches valued at £138,350 stolen from the shop, with three masked robbers carrying a sledgehammer, machete and hammer leaving O’Dea with the getaway vehicle.

He was later identified after DNA was found on a discarded coat sleeve and the gear stick of vehicle – a Mazda that had been stolen in Manchester and fitted with false plates.

Following the sentence, Detective Constable Nichola MacKenzie-Rayner of Humberside Police said: “This was a very violent attack and the sentence reflects the level of violence used against the shop and staff.

“Today we’re re-appealing for your help in tracing the three robbers and for information about the 40 high value watches stolen, including Rolex, Tudor and Longines pieces valued at between £810 and £10,150 each.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference 2175726.