THREE men accused of an armed robbery at a Winchester jewellers will be sentenced next month.

David George, Domingo Nsita and Joshua Tiloye today admitted the raid in Winchester on April 15.

They targeted Justice British Designer Jewellery in Parchment Street, where they stole more than £200,000 worth of watches and jewellery.

They also put an imitation firearm to the head of the store’s owner Jon Quayle.

The incident brought Winchester city centre to a standstill as police cordoned off Parchment Street and part of St George’s Street.

At least ten police vehicles and other unmarked police cars parked on both streets, police dogs were also at the scene.

Crowds of onlookers gathered in Upper Brook Street and St George’s Street, where police cordoned a large section of the road.

The drama centred around a loading bay close to McDonald’s on St George’s Street, where there was intense activity.

Two men were arrested within an hour and one of the men was also arrested in Parchment Street outside Bell Fine Art.

The men previously pleaded guilty of one count of robbery.

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court, David George, 21, of Central Avenue, Havering, east London, Nsita,28,of Windsor Crescent, Wembley, west London, and Joshua Tiloye, 22, of Featherstone Close, Stevenage pleaded guilty of a second count of possessing a imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Judge, Mr Recorder Llewellyn Sellick, adjourned sentencing for pre-sentence reports and the men have been remanded in custody.

They will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on July 29.