AFTER a botched sledgehammer raid at a jewellers in Hadley Wood last week, eight men have appeared in court.

Last Thursday, at about 4.45pm, three motorbikes pulled up at V Jewellers in Heddon Court Parade, Cockfosters Road.

Several men jumped off and tried to smash their way in. One was wielding an axe. Terrified staff managed to activate security shutters, which caused the men to flee the shop, get back on the motorbikes and leave. One member of staff was had to be treated for shock in hospital after the attack.

Following police enquiries, officers attended a lock up in Enfield and arrested seven men. A further two were arrested in a nearby car park. The lock up was searched and police seized several items of property including four motorbikes, and motorbike accessories.

Two vehicles were also seized. The nine men were arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last Saturday.

Those accused are Nathaniel Hines, 21, of Berkeley Gardens, Enfield, Matt Williams, 24 of Lincoln Court, Enfield, and six suspects from Islaington: Charlie Kavanagh, 18, of Innworth Walk, Dean Armstrong, 18, of Innworth Walk, Brett Bradley, 20, of no fixed address, Jamie Rainsford, 19, of Belgon Close, Alex Moriarty, 22, of Upper Caldry Walk, Ryan Griffin, 20, of Hartland Close.

The ninth man arrested, a 24-year-old, has been bailed to a date yet to be confirmed pending further queries. Anyone with any information about the attempted robbery on the jeweller's is urged to contact police at Westminster CID on 020 7321 7614 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.