A MAN has admitted taking part in an armed robbery at a Beverley jewellers. Kevin Smith pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit robbery at Guest and Philips, Saturday Market.
Jack O'Neil, 19, denied the same charge and will stand trial next month.
Smith, 22, of Doncaster, will be sentenced after the end of his co-accused's trial.
Both men, who are the only people to have been charged in connection with the robbery, appeared at Hull Crown Court yesterday.
Adrian Strong, prosecuting, said: "We can't say whether Kevin Smith was or was not in fact one of the two who were the robbers.
"There is telephone evidence connecting him to the robberies on the day and some evidence to suggest he was involved in the arrangements for obtaining the getaway car."
He was also involved in a "reconnaissance" mission carried out in the weeks before the robbery on August 6, last year.
Recorder Simon Jackson QC told Smith: "You have pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiring to commit robbery. You will be given substantial credit for your plea, which will be determined by the sentencing judge.
"You will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial of O'Neil."
The court heard Smith, who is currently on remand in HMP Doncaster, had been moved there "for his own safety" after he was threatened in prison in Hull.
Recorder Jackson QC said: "I don't have any power to dictate what prison he is taken to, but I will ensure the matter is brought to the attention of the prison officer in the building."
More than 50 detectives from Humberside Police's major incident team were drafted into the investigation.
Both Smith and Jack O'Neil are accused of conspiring to rob the shop "together with persons unknown" between July 1 and August 6, last year.
Jack O'Neil, of Leeds, is due to stand trial on June 30.
Both men have been remanded in custody.
Seven people who were also arrested on suspicion of being involved in the robbery have been released without charge.
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