A GANG robbed a wealthy couple of more than 100,000 of jewellery after watching them at a pizza restaurant and following them as they drove their Ferrari home.

The couple had taken a photo in the pizzeria and were unaware the robbers’ BMW convertible could be seen in the background.

The following the night the gang broke into the couple’s Leeds home through a patio door as they were sleeping upstairs.

They shouted “police, police” as they stormed into the property just after 11pm on July 31.

One the robbers, armed with a handgun, smashed the man in the face with the weapon which left him needing 35 stitches.

The woman was in bed when the covers were pulled from her and her gold necklace was ripped off.

She also had her £92,000 diamond engagement ring stolen after one of them shouted at her “where’s your big diamond?”

The gang also stole a pair of diamond earrings, a second diamond ring and two Rolex watches.

Michael Smith, prosecuting, said Daniel Inamder, 35, planned the raid and had contacts to sell on the jewellery

None of the items have been recovered by police.

Inamder and Isaac Duncan, 20, had been sat in their BMW outside the Flying Pizza in Roundhay as the couple enjoyed a meal the night before the robbery.

They waited for the couple to finish their food then followed them home. The next night they broke into their home.

Mr Smith said: “They were subjected to a terrifying ordeal”.

The man now suffers from nervousness and anxiety while the woman struggles to sleep.

Inamder, from Leeds, admitted conspiracy to rob and was jailed for 12 years.

Duncan, also from Leeds, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm and was jailed for 10 years and five months.
Getaway driver Ali Agha, 27, denied robbery but was convicted after a trial and jailed for ten years.

The robber who pistol whipped the man in the face during the raid is yet to be traced.

Mark McKone, mitigating for dad-of-three Inamder, told the court: "The violence that was used was not something Mr Inamder anticipated."

Baltaj Bhatia, for Duncan, said: "He is an immature young man who is easily led. There is genuine remorse."

Kenton Sargeant, for Ali Agha, said he did not go in the house and was the driver, adding: "He didn't know about the gun - he wasn't involved in the violence."

Jailing the trio for more than 30 years on Friday, Judge Christopher Batty said: "This was sophisticated, professional offending targeting high-value property.

"It involved significant planning and recruitment of a number of people.

"Telephones were purchased to assist in carrying it out but also in an attempt to escape detection.

"An imitation firearm was taken and gratuitous violence was used.

"They were confronted by three men, two of them had masks covering their faces, adding immeasurably to the fear of (the couple) in their home.

"It's difficult to imagine how you feel if you have jewellery ripped from your person while you are lying in bed."

Detective Inspector Al Burns, of Leeds District Crime Team, said: “These men put the victims through an absolutely terrifying ordeal after they smashed their way into their home late at night as they slept.

“Both victims were dragged around and assaulted and the husband was beaten with a handgun leaving him with serious facial injuries that required 35 stitches and ongoing treatment.

“Both he and his wife have been left understandably traumatised and mentally scarred by what these men did.

“Those convicted deliberately targeted the victims in a planned and organised offence fuelled purely out of greed for high-value jewellery.

“We carried out extensive enquiries into the incident and were able to gather crucial evidence that linked these offenders to the crime and resulted in their convictions.

“We hope the significant sentences they have received will provide some degree of comfort to the victims and to the wider community. These are clearly dangerous individuals who care nothing for the pain and suffering they have caused to others.

“We are still continuing to appeal for the name of one of the gang who was filmed on CCTV on the night but who we have not yet been able to identify. It may be that, with these three now safely behind bars, someone could be in a better position to tell us who it is.

“I would urge anyone who does know who his identity to contact officers via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”