THREE men who carried out a terrifying armed robbery at a Hampshire jewellers were due to be sentenced today.

David George, 21, Domingo Nsita, 29 and Joshua Tiloye, 22, have all pleaded guilty for their part in the armed robbery of Justice Jewellers, in Parchment Street.

They pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and another count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

During the robbery on April 15, an imitation firearm was held to the head of owner of Justice jewellers Jon Quayle.

In less than 10 minutes £250,000 worth of watches and jewellery were stolen from the shop.

Two of the men wearing motorcycle helmets went inside the store in the dramatic raid while a third man waited nearby in a getaway van.

The incident brought Winchester city centre to a standstill as police cordoned off Parchment Street and part of St George’s Street.

At least 10 police vehicles and other unmarked police cars parked on both streets, police dogs were also at the scene.

Crowds of onlookers gathered in Upper Brook Street and St George’s Street, where police cordoned a large section of the road.

The drama centred around a loading bay close to McDonald’s in St George’s Street, where there was intense activity.

Two of the men were arrested near the loading bay in St George’s Street and a third man was arrested on Parchment Street.

The three men were due to be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court today.