GAZETTE & HERALD: JEWELLERY shop owner Tony Knight said he was disappointed that a thief he gave chase to has walked free from court.

Last February Gareth Allen grabbed two rings, worth more than £5,000, before running away from Chas Hart Jewellers in Market Place, Chippenham.

The 32-year-old was arrested after a 100mph chase on the A350, which landed the driver of the getaway car in prison.

Allen escaped a jail sentence after a judge sentenced him to three months behind bars, equivalent to the time he served on remand last year.

Following sentencing Mr Knight said: "I am surprised. I am disappointed that it was not longer. Although our security systems were in place it is always quite a distressing event," he said.

However Mr Knight said he was pleased Allen and his accomplice were caught and the shop was able to work together with the police.

"It was a satisfactory conclusion. There was a rapid response from the police and they were caught. Hopefully it will put others off," he said.

Prosecuting, Colin Meeke told Swindon Crown Court that Allen had gone into the shop in the Market Place on the afternoon of February 24 last year.

"He asked to see two rings with a total value of about £5,500," Mr Meeke told the hearing.

"As the jeweller was holding them out he snatched them both from her hand and ran off, leaving her very frightened."

Other staff at the shop gave chase and Allen was seen to jump into a BMW which was waiting outside the library in Timber Street.

Shop owner Tony Knight managed to scribble down the registration number and called the police, who stopped the vehicle after pursuing it at speeds of up to 110mph.

Mr Meeke said that Allen had thrown down the rings as he left the store and they were recovered inside the front door of the jewellers.

Allen, of Hudson Close, Watford, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft but denied robbery.

Defending, Graham Smith said Allen had a five-year-old daughter for whom he had parental responsibility.

The court heard that he had a string of previous convictions and had been jailed for a robbery in 1993.