THE sentences of two men who carried out a smash and grab robbery at a jewellers in Wellington nearly a year ago have been described as ‘a joke’ by the shopkeeper Joe Welch.

Joseph Hale, 23, of Rappart Road, Merseyside, and Thomas Bell, 26, of Park Street, Liverpool, both pleaded guilty to charges of robbery at Joseph Welch Jewellers in South Street.

The incident happened at the shop on August 11, 2018, when Hale and Bell used a pick axe and a metal pole to smash the window and steal watches to a value of £11,000.

At Taunton Crown Court, Hale was handed a 16-month prison sentence. Bell received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, 240 hours of community service and a five-month tagged curfew.

DC David Cousins said: “We welcome the custodial sentence given to Hale and restrictions in place for Bell, which reflects the seriousness of the offence they committed.”

But Mr Welch said: “One actually got off with a two-year suspended sentence, the other got 16 months, but because he was in a TAG for 100 days that was deducted from the prison time. It’s hardly a deterrent for anyone considering a life of crime.

“When you think of the risk to the public during the attack, had anyone confronted them, while they raced away they could have caused a crash. They stole a car to do the job.

“Also consider the cost to catch them as they escaped – huge numbers of police were involved. Then a court appointed a barrister to defend them both. The risks of life and cost to the tax payer are huge.

“Hale was ordered to pay £140 fine and I wasn’t even told he was in court so I could see justice being served.

“The sentences are a joke. The chances of being caught were slim and the risks are worth the reward, which is why crime continues.”