Jeweller hit with hammer and pinned to the ground with foot in raid, court told

A JEWELLER was struck with a hammer as robbers smashed her shop in Co Antrim, the High Court has heard.

Details emerged as two men made court appearances on charges connected with the attack in the Mill Road area of Ballyclare on October 3.

Karl Cosgrove (29), of Knockview Road in Newtownabbey, and Robert Toan (33), from Bromley Street in Belfast, are both accused of robbery, arson, common assault, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon.

As Cosgrove applied for bail, Crown lawyer Conor Maguire said four men entered the jewellery store, one wielding a hammer he used to smash glass cabinets. The owner of the business was struck on the wrist with the hammer and shoved over.

Mr Maguire said: “One of the men pinned her to the ground with his foot. She heard the sound of cabinets being smashed and was showered with glass.”

Stock was taken during the raid, which left the woman extremely shaken, the court heard.

Five men have now been charged with robbery.

Cosgrove is allegedly connected as part of a joint enterprise.

He was arrested an hour later while a passenger in a car located close to the scene of an attempt to set fire to another vehicle used by the gang, according to the prosecution case.

Defence barrister Dennis Boyd claimed there was no case against his client on any charge apart from the alleged arson.

Granting bail, Mr Justice McAlinden banned Cosgrove from on entering Ballyclare or making contact with the jeweller.