A botched ram-raid on a Newcastle jewellery shop that caused £100,000 in damage has resulted in a 13-year and 10-month prison sentence for one of the culprits. Mohamed Khan, 22, was part of a group that attempted to steal from Sunny Jewellers on Tamworth Road in Arthur's Hill on March 17, 2026.
Ram-Raid Goes Wrong
The peace of a spring afternoon was shattered when a van reversed into the shop window. However, the thieves were forced to abandon the raid when the van became stuck on a bollard. They fled on foot, leaving the vehicle behind. No injuries were reported, but the shop owner later said in court that he and his family felt 'unsafe' after the incident. Sunny Jewellers had been targeted in a similar ram-raid in 2018, leading to a group of thieves being jailed in 2020 for causing £300,000 in losses.
Khan's Criminal Spree
Khan was involved in a series of offences. In the same month as the Newcastle ram-raid, he participated in a post office robbery in West Yorkshire and an attempted robbery at a travel agent in Huddersfield. Later, on April 1, he committed an aggravated burglary at a home in Birmingham, stealing £30,000 worth of gold. During that incident, a woman in the home picked up a knife, but Khan disarmed her and threatened her.
Court Proceedings
Khan appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via videolink from HMP Durham on July 10, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and aggravated burglary. Prosecuting, Andrew Espley detailed the failed ram-raid: 'The defendant left his home address and a car was parked outside the jewellers. He got out and walked off so the area couldn't be blocked. It was still there at 3.39pm.' A van later arrived with two men, including Khan, who reversed into the window but got stuck on a bollard, leaving the occupants stranded.
Defence Arguments
Jamie Adams, defending, argued that Khan is 'immature' and was likely distracted by others. He noted that other individuals involved have not been caught and 'clearly had more about them criminally in order to keep their identities secret.' Adams added that Khan comes from a 'devoutly Muslim family' and has struggled with drugs and mental health issues. 'He mourns the loss of trust his family had in him... he is ashamed he has brought this upon his family,' Adams said.
Sentence
Khan was already subject to two suspended sentences imposed in 2025 at the time of the offences. Judge Gavin Doig sentenced him to 13 years and 10 months in prison, stating: 'The victims have been seriously affected, which only increases the serious nature of the spree of offending.'
