British father and son jailed for terror raid on jewellers using smoke grenades, axes and machetes

Elliot and Connor Burton have been jailed a violent raid on a jewellers in England. Credit: Northamptonshire Police.

A BRITISH father and son have been jailed for carrying out a terrifying raid on a jewellery shop in Northampton, England.

Elliott Burton, 49, and his son Connor, 27, had organised a ‘brazen’ attack on Michael Jones Jeweller in November 2018. Alongside three other men they reigned horror on staff and customers wearing masks using a deadly haul of weapons which included sledgehammers, axes, grenades and machetes. 

The group initiated their horrifying robbery by ramming a BMW 1 series into the shop window before storming into the premises. They then threw a smoke grenade into the jewellers in an attempt to disorient those who were inside whilst one of the thugs threatened staff with a machete to hand over the valuable goods.

The thugs rammed a BMW through the shop window. Credit: SWNS.

The other members then raided the display cases using baseball bats, hammers and axes to smash the glass, before making off with £124,000 worth of watches and jewellery in a nearby getaway car. 

The gang smashed the displays with deadly weapons. Credit: SWNS.

The thugs dumped the car and swapped it for a stolen Range Rover, where in a highly organised plan, they raced to Buckingham University and changed again to a third vehicle. 

During their trial Northampton Crown Court the jury were shown vital CCTV footage of the violent robbery and heard how staff and members of the public had suffered from psychological trauma since the raid. Upon being found guilty on Tuesday, January 7, His Honour Judge Michael Fowler said:

“Michael Jones Jewellers were attacked without any for the safety of anyone in the store.

“Staff and shoppers were not only terrified but injured both physically and psychologically.

“You injured them physically and psychologically and you have fought the matter at every stage, showing no remorse for your actions.”

The masked med fled with £124,000 worth of goods. Credit: SWNS.

Elliott Burton was found guilty of conspiring to commit robbery and was jailed for 20 years, with Connor Burton also found guilty of the same charge where he was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The lesser amount received was due to his father being considered as the mastermind of the group. 

In response to the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Alex Lowe of Northamptonshire Police, said”

“I welcome the lengthy sentences handed out to Elliot Burton and his son Connor. This incident was exceptionally distressing for the staff members and customers inside the shop that day – many of whom still suffer from anxiety because of the incident.

“I hope the conclusion of this matter today will provide them with a sense of justice and allow them to move forward.

“This was a very long and complex investigation, made harder by the frankly ridiculous defences the Burtons tried to come up with during the course of the trial – all of which we were able to disprove.

“I hope these sentences send a clear message to anyone looking to travel to Northamptonshire to commit a crime – we will not tolerate it and you will be caught.

“The Burtons have demonstrated that they are at the top of the organised crime groups in Northamptonshire.”

As Euro Weekly News understands, Northamptonshire Police are still searing for the other members of the gang who are believed to be on the run.

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Written by

Isha Sesay

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