A TRIO of armed robbers have been jailed for a total of 32 years after an armed raid on a Hampshire jewellers.

David George, 21, Domingo Nsita, 29, and Joshua Tiloye, 22, all admitted carrying out the terrifying raid earlier this year.

Winchester Crown Court heard that the three men drove to the city in a white van on April 15.

When they arrived outside Justice Jewellers in Parchment Street Tiloye and George donned motorbike helmets and jumped out, threatened the store's owner with a fake gun, and stole more than £200,000 worth of items.

But after members of the public raised the alarm, police sent specialist armed officers to the scene.

Nsita tried to make a getaway but was blocked by a bin lorry and was quickly arrested, while the two inside the shop were also detained.

Detective Constable Darrin Carey said: “Thanks to the swift actions of our officers these three dangerous men have been taken off the streets of Hampshire.

“Within minutes of this raid starting our officers were on scene, ready to confront whatever they were faced with to protect the public.

“Despite information that these men had firearms, our teams did not hesitate to carry out their duty.

“Our units had contained the scene and blocked off any escape route giving the offenders no chance of a getaway.

“This was a great example of local neighbourhood officers working alongside specialist teams from the Hampshire and Thames Valley Joint Operations Unit to bring swift justice to criminals.

“I also want to pay tribute to the brave members of the public who remained at the scene to assist officers by providing vital information about where the suspects had fled to.

“Their assistance ensured we found these men as quickly as possible, preventing further harm to the public.

“We hope this sends a strong message to our communities that we will take robust action against those who think they can come to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to commit crimes.”

George, of Furzon Crescent, Hatfield, and Tiloye, of Featherstone Close, Stevenage, were both sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Nsita, of Windsor Crescent, London, was sentenced to 12 years for the part he played.

All three men received five years each for possession of an imitation firearm which will run concurrently.