A member of a smash and grab robbery crew abandoned by his mates when they raided a jewellery shop with sledgehammers has been jailed.

Luke Doyle, 27, was one of four motorcycle riding robbers who drove into the Bentall Centre on Monday, June 25, at about 9.10am.

They smashed Fraser Hart’s windows and stole 12 luxury Rolex watches.

Doyle was sentenced to six years and six months in prison on Tuesday after being abandoned at the crime scene by his robbery crew and caught red-handed with eight stolen Rolexes worth a total of £133,150.

Judge Recorder Aidan Christie, speaking at Doyle’s sentencing at Kingston Crown Court, said: “This was a horrifying incident which must have been terrifying for staff in the shop as well as anyone passing by.

“This was a violent and highly planned robbery carried out with ruthless determination causing terror to all who witnessed it.”

Doyle, of Cleveland Road, Islington, who pleaded guilty to the robbery, was the only one caught.

Four of the missing Rolexes, said to be worth £42,850, are still missing.

Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: “Just after 9am two motorbikes both with a rider and pillion passenger rode in straight up the window of Fraser Hart.

“They ran towards the display window and using sledgehammers tacked the outside window in precisely the area where the Rolex watches were on display.”

He said: “The defendant and the other robbers attempted to escape on motor bikes.

"Mr Doyle was unsuccessful on climbing onto the back of his motorbike. Mr Doyle attempted to escape on foot."

Doyle claimed he had to pay off an £8,000 gambling debt.

Khurram Araf, defending, said: “The store was targeted when the shop was closed and there were not many members of the public about, no one was threatened and no violence was used towards anyone at all.”

But before jailing Doyle Recorder Christie said there were seven aggravating factors including the fact it was planned, that it was part of a gang raid and that there were sledgehammers involved.

Any witnesses should call 020 8247 4804 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.