A JEWELLERY thief who was chased by traders and allegedly attacked by them has been sent to jail.

Prolific offender Dean Langford was sentenced to three months in jail yesterday when he appeared before Kirklees magistrates.

He had attempted to steal £3,000 worth of rings from the stall at Huddersfield Open Market.

But the 32-year-old’s plan to sell the items on to make cash was immediately thwarted by other traders who tripped him up as he tried to flee the market.

Langford’s lawyer, Mr Mike Sisson-Pell added that his client had already received ‘summary justice’ after he was apprehended by 10 people in the market and repeatedly kicked.

He said: "My client’s legs are covered in bruises. He has a black eye and his hand has been badly broken where somebody stamped on it repeatedly.

"So to say that he has already received summary justice is putting it mildly."

Fishmonger Tommy Alexis, saw the incident unfold and told the Examiner:

" I just saw a young lad come running out of the market past my shop, being chased by at least three market traders in their 50s.

"He tripped up and he had blood on his head. The police arrived really quickly and he was led away."

Langford, of High Park Road in Leeds, appeared in court yesterday covered in bruises and with his arm in a sling following the incident on Saturday(Jan 28).

Paul Ramsay, prosecuting, said that the antique and second-hand jewellery stall belongs to Clifford Noble.

The 87-year-old is a familiar face at the market having rented the stall there for the past 20 years.

Mr Ramsay said that at just before 10am Mr Noble was setting up his stall, which has items displayed in glass cabinets.