DETECTIVES investigating an armed robbery say painstaking police work paid off today (Friday May 21) after two ruthfless armed robbers were handed down 9 year prison sentences’ each by Judge Christopher Leigh at Portsmouth crown court after a robbery at Benzie Jewellers in Cowes last July.

Two career criminals, 22 year old Oliver Mazirel, from Worthing and Gary Smith, 23, from Angmering changed their pleas after repeated denials, ahead of a trial the court was told.

Over 40 police officers from Hampshire and Sussex police worked around the clock on a manhunt to arrest the pair.

Callous Mazirel, who has over 36 previous courts appearances, threatened a shop worker with a gun. Whilst baby-face Smith, with 16 previous court appearances, smashed the windows, grabbing over £200,000 worth of Rolex and Breitling watches, before making off in a stolen freelander.

Mazirel admitted stealing £100 of Ryde Library staff’s Christmas money on November 26, 2008. The pair also admitted taking thousands of pounds worth of laptops and iPods from Marks and Spencer in Newport on November 30, 2008.

Speaking after the case Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Nick Heelan, said: “This was an unusual type of crime for the Isle of Wight that prompted one of the largest investigations I’ve ever known in my policing career. Two dangerous men from Sussex with no regard for others conspired to commit a daylight armed robbery at a jewellery shop in a high street busy with dozens of shoppers. The police force on the Isle of Wight responded rapidly with local knowledge and expertise to arrest the men responsible and seize forensic evidence that ultimately convinced two career criminals to admit their guilt after refusing to comment on the allegations against them. Their prison sentences should serve as a warning to anybody considering serious crimes on the Isle of Wight. You will be caught by an experienced, effective police force that works closely with the community to demonstrate such crimes are not tolerated on our Island.”

Check out the IW Gazette for the full story.