Three people have been sentenced following the theft of £13,000 worth of jewellery from a shop in Bury St Edmunds.

The man and two women were sentenced to a total of five and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to the theft at Romark Jewellers in Abbeygate Street in the town on February 17.

The trio entered the store and having distracted the owner, managed to steal a small bag of jewellery.

The court heard the theft was a slick, sophisticated, well-planned and rehearsed operation that had a devastating effect on the owner.

On 25 February officers attended a property in Luton and arrested three people and seized a vehicle.

All three were bought back to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning before being charged.

At court, the three, all from Pembroke Avenue in Luton, were given the following sentences:

Loredana Sava, 35 – 22 months’ imprisonment  

Radu Niculescu, 29 – 24 months’ imprisonment

Loredana Sava, 31, 20 months’ imprisonment

Following the sentencing, Sergeant Joe Nettleton said: “This was an organised theft by organised criminals, who gave no thought to the devastating impact this sort of crime can have on hard-working business owners.

“I am pleased custodial sentences have been given to the group who clearly only cared about their own financial gain.

“We work closely with partners to deal with this type of crime and are happy to provide advice and support to retailers.”

You can find crime prevention advice, including on shoplifting and other business crime, on the Suffolk Constabulary website: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/