TWO ROBBERS who beat a Bradford jeweller in his own shop in an “absolutely terrifying” targeted raid have been jailed.
Denzel Deneus, 34, and Mohamed Balmakhtar, 27, both from The Netherlands, are now beginning sentences of four years and three years and nine months, respectively.
During the incident Deneus threatened the victim that he would kill him.
Bradford Crown Court heard how they and the owner became trapped in the smoke-filled shop after an alarm was pressed and were arrested there by police.
The duo’s attack left their victim fearful of reprisals.
Prosecutor Adam Walker said the pair first visited the shop on Manchester Road so that Deneus could buy a silver ring, for which he paid £55.
He said he would return to buy a bangle for his girlfriend.
When he did so on the afternoon of September 10, accompanied by Balmakhtar, the proprietor opened the two-door airlock security system to let them in.
As he did so, Deneus put out his hand in greeting.
Manchester Road in Bradford (Image: Telegraph & Argus)
When the shopkeeper responded, Deneus grabbed his right hand with both hands, pulled him forward, and punched him.
Balmakhtar grabbed the man’s left arm.
Then both began to beat him.
The shopkeeper was able to twist his body and press the alarm, which filled the shop with security smoke.
Deneus and Balmakhtar both climbed over the counter and continued their attack on the shopkeeper who was punched and kicked in the groin by Deneus, who also jammed his fingers into the man’s mouth to force it open.
Deneus also told the shopkeeper that he would kill him.
The victim called for help, saying “There are thieves in the shop” in a voice his wife later described as “panicking and shaking” before barricading himself in a toilet.
CCTV from the shop showed Deneus and Balmakhtar forcing their way into the bathroom and continuing their assault.
When his wife arrived at the shop the police were already on the scene and both the victim and his attackers were locked inside.
The shopkeeper was able to open the doors, a hammer was passed out, and both Deneus and Balmakhtar were arrested.
Jewellery valued at £20,000 was found in Deneus’s pocket.
Inside the shop was smashed glass, broken jewellery, money scattered from a charity box, and broken furniture.
A claw hammer was recovered from the scene, but the court heard it had been used as a tool rather than a weapon.
In interviews Deneus answered “no comment” to all questions but Balmakhtar said he had gone to the shop with Deneus believing that he wanted to buy a bangle.
He denied wanting to steal or cause harm, and was just helping his friend.
The court heard that the victim’s wife described the incident as “absolutely terrifying” for her husband who had suffered pain to his neck, ears, shoulders, and groin.
She added that he was fearful of reprisals.
Mr Hall described the attack as “a prolonged beating by two men against this shopkeeper.”
The court heard that neither man had any previous convictions.
Mitigating to Deneus, barrister Ian Howard accepted it had been “an unpleasant, horrible incident.”
He said Deneus, a father-of-four who had worked as a baker, had travelled to the UK with the intention of attending a wedding.
Mitigating for Balmakhtar, Erin Kitson-Parker said he had travelled to Bradford with Deneus from Bristol after both had arrived in the UK from The Netherlands.
She said he understood that what he did was “foolish,” that he was very regretful, and that through the court he would be willing to meet the victim to apologise for what he had done.
She said Balmakhtar wished to serve his sentence and on the understanding that he would most likely be deported afterwards, wanted to return to his “normal life” as a mechanic.
Sentencing Deneus and Balmakhtar, Mr Recorder Simon Ward said: “You are both of good character, which in many ways makes your offending all the more surprising.”
Judging Deneus to be the more aggressive of the duo he jailed him for four years.
Balmakhtar was handed three years and nine months.