Market Cross Jewellers robbers jailed
Robbers sentenced at Teesside Crown Court
David Patmore, 32, was sentenced with 10 others involved in a series of armed robberies across northern England, including two raids on Teesside jewellers where masked robbers were caught on CCTV methodically smashing display cabinets and grabbing watches.
Patmore, formerly of Moston, north Manchester and now of Frankland Prison, previously admitted ramming police who were trying to intercept him in Harpurhey, and driving at more than 70mph to escape with his lights off in the dark in December 2014.
He crashed into two cars before abandoning the stolen Audi Q3, running into the grounds of a church and hiding up a tree.
With police surrounding him, he shouted I'll be down in a minute. I just don't want you to have my phone'', Teesside Crown Court heard.
He was wanted in connection with a robbery at the Yarm, Teesside, branch of the Market Cross Jewellers where designer watches worth more than £500,000 were stolen in November 2014.
Judge Tony Briggs called him a professional criminal, adding: You are clearly intelligent, determined and energetic.''
He was sentenced via video-link from prison having previously escaped from the dock.
The defendants who were sentenced alongside David Patmore in the two-day hearing at Teesside Crown Court were: