A 51-year-old man from Aylesbury who broke into a Helston jewellers with a hammer and stole a £11,000 gold Rolex has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Steven Bennett, of St Peter’s Avenue, Aylesbury, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court after pleading guilty to the burglary, and a second burglary at a home in Helston

The court heard that Bennett struck in broad daylight on March 29, smashing the front display window of Wearne’s Jewellers in Meneage Street with a hammer.

He reached into the window and grabbed the Rolex before running off and getting into his car to flee the scene.

Bennett also pleaded guilty to a burglary at a home in Ruan Minor two days earlier on 27 March, when he smashed his way into the house using a rock from the garden but did not appear to steal anything.

Detective constable Martin Hearn, of Helston CID, said: “We welcome the sentencing of Bennett. The Helston offences were both committed in the daytime and caused anxiety for local people due to the nature of the crimes and the fact that he carried them out without any concern or fear.

“The Wearne’s break in was in broad daylight, the public were enjoying a normal afternoon in Helston when Bennett used a hammer to smash a window and steal property.

"I would like to thank the members of the public who came forward and identified the suspect, this and forensic enquiries made a strong case against Bennett.

“In relation to the dwelling burglary, having your premises broken into in this manner has the potential to change your life forever. These type of offences violate your home and cause great upset. The sentence reflects how seriously the judge saw the results of what Bennett had done.”