A MAN who smashed his way into an antiques shop in Harrogate with a sledgehammer has been jailed for 12 years for robbery.

Ryan Luke Stanley, 24, from Salford, Manchester, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to threatening staff at Montpellier Antiques at around 11.10am on Monday March 16, before stealing watches and jewellery.

Stanley and four other men, left in a stolen Lexus which was later found abandoned. Stanley also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

North Yorkshire police have renewed appeals for information about the four other men involved in the incident.

Detective Inspector Nichola Holden, of Harrogate Serious Crime Team, said: “This was an extremely frightening experience for the staff and customers who were in the shop on the day of the robbery and I am very pleased that someone has been held accountable for the offence.

Stanley must also pay a £120 victim surcharge and his sledgehammer was seized.