Man who used sledgehammer in Harrogate antique store robbery jailed

A man who smashed his way into Montpellier Antiques in Harrogate with a sledgehammer has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for robbery.
Ryan Luke Stanley of Salford, Manchester (s)Ryan Luke Stanley of Salford, Manchester (s)
Ryan Luke Stanley of Salford, Manchester (s)

Ryan Luke Stanley, 24, of Firefly Close, Salford, Manchester, pleaded guilty to threatening staff at the antiques shop at around 11.10am on Monday 16 March before stealing watches and jewellery.

Stanley and four other men who were with him at the time of the robbery, then left the scene in a stolen Lexus which was later found abandoned nearby.

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He was handed an extended determinate sentence of eight years’ imprisonment increased by four years at Manchester Crown Court on Monday 20 April 2015 and was also told to pay a £120 victim surcharge and ordered to forfeit his sledgehammer.

Stanley also pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

Detective Inspector Nichola Holden, of Harrogate Serious Crime Team, said: “This was an extremely frightening experience for the staff and customers who were in the shop on the day of the robbery and I am very pleased that someone has been held accountable for the offence.

“North Yorkshire Police will not tolerate criminals from other areas coming here to commit crime and this case shows that we are prepared to cross borders and work with other forces in the pursuit of justice.”

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Enquiries remain ongoing to trace the other men involved in the robbery and anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for Harrogate Serious Crime Team.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.