Two men from the Netherlands have been jailed after beating a Bradford jeweller during what a court heard was a targeted robbery at his Manchester Road shop.
Denzel Deneus, 34, and Mohamed Balmakhtar, 27, were sentenced at Bradford Crown Court after an attack which left the shopkeeper fearful of reprisals.
Deneus was jailed for four years, while Balmakhtar received three years and nine months.
Robber First Visited Shop To Buy Ring
Prosecutor Adam Walker told the court that Deneus initially visited the jewellery shop and bought a silver ring for £55.
He told the proprietor he intended to return to buy a bangle for his girlfriend.
Deneus later returned on the afternoon of September 10 accompanied by Balmakhtar.
Shopkeeper Grabbed As Security Doors Opened
The shop had a two-door airlock security system.
As the proprietor opened the doors to allow the pair inside, Deneus extended his hand in greeting.
When the shopkeeper responded, Deneus grabbed his right hand with both hands, pulled him towards him and punched him.
Balmakhtar then grabbed the man’s left arm.
Both men began beating him.
Security Smoke Filled Shop
During the attack, the shopkeeper managed to twist his body and activate an alarm.
The system filled the premises with security smoke.
Despite this, Deneus and Balmakhtar climbed over the counter and continued attacking him.
The court heard Deneus punched and kicked the man in the groin and forced his fingers into his mouth.
Threatened To Kill Shopkeeper
Deneus also threatened to kill the victim during the attack.
The shopkeeper called for help, shouting that there were thieves inside the premises.
His wife later described his voice as “panicking and shaking”.
He eventually barricaded himself inside a toilet.
CCTV Showed Attack Continuing
CCTV from the shop showed Deneus and Balmakhtar forcing their way into the bathroom and continuing to assault the proprietor.
When the victim’s wife arrived, police were already outside.
The security system had left the shopkeeper and both robbers locked inside the premises.
£20,000 Jewellery Found
The proprietor was eventually able to open the doors.
A hammer was passed outside and police arrested Deneus and Balmakhtar.
Jewellery worth approximately £20,000 was discovered in Deneus’s pocket.
Inside the shop, officers found smashed glass, broken jewellery, damaged furniture and money scattered from a charity box.
A claw hammer was recovered, although the court heard it had been used as a tool rather than as a weapon.
Victim Left Fearful Of Reprisals
The shopkeeper suffered pain to his neck, ears, shoulders and groin.
His wife described the robbery as “absolutely terrifying” and said her husband had been left fearing reprisals.
The prosecution described what happened as “a prolonged beating by two men against this shopkeeper”.
Balmakhtar Claimed He Did Not Know About Robbery
Deneus answered “no comment” during police interviews.
Balmakhtar told officers he had accompanied Deneus believing his friend intended to buy a bangle.
He denied intending to steal or hurt anyone and said he had simply been helping Deneus.
Neither Man Had Previous Convictions
The court heard that neither defendant had previous convictions.
Deneus’s barrister Ian Howard accepted the incident had been “unpleasant” and “horrible”.
The court heard Deneus was a father-of-four who had worked as a baker and said he had travelled to Britain intending to attend a wedding.
Balmakhtar Expected To Be Deported
Mitigating for Balmakhtar, Erin Kitson-Parker said he had travelled to Bradford with Deneus from Bristol after both men arrived in the UK from the Netherlands.
She said he recognised that his actions had been foolish, was very regretful and was willing to meet the victim to apologise.
The court heard Balmakhtar expected he would most likely be deported after completing his sentence and wanted to return to his previous life as a mechanic.
Deneus Deemed More Aggressive
Recorder Simon Ward told both men their previous good character made the offending “all the more surprising”.
He judged Deneus to have been the more aggressive participant and sentenced him to four years in prison.
Balmakhtar was jailed for three years and nine months.
