Jewel raid gang jailed

A gang who attempted to rob a jewellers with an imitation firearm before being chased out of the shop have been jailed for 21 years.

Asif Iqbal (22), of Milnrow Road, Rochdale, Adnan Akbar (30), of Yorkshire Street, Rochdale and Mohammad Irslan Salim (29), of St John's Gardens, Bury appeared at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm on April 27, 2015, at Romaze Jewellers, Spinks Street, Glodwick.

They forced their way in but upon being confronted by the shopkeeper the three men fled, stealing nothing.

One of the men, Sohrabi Khan, was detained by locals who had given chase.

He was arrested at the scene and was sentenced to 45 months' imprisonment.

Salim and Iqbal were caught the next day and police found that Adnan was a getaway driver waiting around the corner the whole time.

He was arrested around four weeks later.

Iqbal and Salim received seven-and-a-half years imprisonment and Akbar six years.