A MAN has admitted his part in a terrifying robbery at a jewellers where staff where threatened with a wrench and a hammer.

Simon Jacobs, 21, and another man arrived outside Chimes in Trinity Street, Colchester, on a motorbike before heading inside the store.

Jacobs used the hammer to smash cabinets and remove watches but while he and his accomplice were inside a quick-thinking passerby took the keys from the ignition of the bike and tipped it over.

The pair tried to run but were tackled by an off duty police officer and another man.

Jacobs was later arrested and charged with robbery while the other man got away.

The brazen attempted raid happened in broad daylight - shortly after 11am on July 28.

During a short hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Jacobs admitted robbery.

Sentencing was adjourned until Friday in order for CCTV of the incident to be obtained and shown to the court and for victim impact statements from staff at Chimes to be collected.

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Samantha Lowther, prosecuting said: “There has been an impact.

“The member of staff in the shop at the time was too frightened to be there alone after the incident so the owner was forced to close the next week.”

Hannah Sutton, mitigating for Jacobs, said he had written a letter to the court and to the staff affected by the robbery and was keen to read them aloud at the sentencing hearing.

Recorder Ian Evans agreed to delay the sentencing but said Jacobs would be facing custody because he is still on post sentence licensing until December 2022.

He said: “I must sentence on a full facts basis and the impact on the victim will help me identify which category it falls into.”

Anyone with information about the identity of the other man - who ran off towards Scheregate Steps is asked to contact Colchester CID on 101 quoting incident 503 of July 28 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

He was wearing a grey coloured tracksuit, black trainers and a white motorcycle helmet

Jacobs has been in custody since he was arrested and was remanded to remain there ahead of Friday’s sentencing hearing.