Court hears how jeweller's life changed forever following robbery

Earlier this week the man behind the attack, 39-year-old Michael Bergquist, was jailed for five and a half years. 

 

On May 9th he entered RHS Jewellers on Prospect Hill in Douglas carrying a claw hammer, threatened the owner Simon Haddock and proceeded to steal rings valued at £25,000. 

 

The prolific offender, who has previous convictions for robbery, then fled to Liverpool where he tried and failed to sell the jewellery on. 

 

A statement from Mr Haddock described how his personal health and business had suffered as a result - he added that the shop had become a "tourist attraction" saying "it's like I can't escape it". 

 

The court also heard Bergquist has written a letter of apology which the shop owner has refused to read - Mr Haddock says it "terrifies him" thinking about the day he'll be released from prison. 

 

Sentencing him Deemster Montgomerie told Bergquist it was clear his drug dependency had "blighted his life" and adversely affected the lives of those around him. 

 

Addressing him before sending him to prison he said "when you come out for goodness sake think of your family before you embark on further offending".