Guilty : Michael Hood , who has been jailed for eight years for raiding an Edinburgh jewellers . An armed robber who stole £1.35 million in a raid on a central Edinburgh jewellers has been sentenced to eight years in prison . Michael Hood , 32 , from Royston Mains Edinburgh acted as getaway driver for a three man gang which made off with luxury watches and jewellery following the robbery on a Hamilton and Inches store in the Scottish capital . The gang , armed with machetes and axes , terrorised shoppers in the day-light raid on the prosperous shopping area in George Street , the High Court in Livingston , West Lothian heard . The jury found Hood guilty of robbery for his involvement . He was given a shorter sentence for driving the white BMW in which the trio made their escape . Sentencing Hood to eight years , backdated to July last year when he was first remanded , Judge Lord Glennie said the armed raid was ' a very serious offence ' . 'You snatched a very valuable collection of watches and jewellery from one of the principal shopping streets in Edinburgh , ' Lord Glennie said . 'The gang , of which its been found you formed a part , armed with machetes and axes clearly terrorised the people within the shop . 'Your role was clearly that of the getaway driver although , as part of the gang , you bear equal responsibility in law , ' he added . During the trial the jury was shown CCTV footage of the armed robbers smashing display cabinets and emptying the contents of displays into rucksacks in the professional-looking 90-second operation . The gang , armed with machetes and axes , terrorised shoppers in the day-light raid on the Hamilton and Inches store in Edinburgh . The trio ordered staff to lie on the floor before smashing their way through armoured glass display cabinets to grab fistfuls of valuables . The robbers took rings , necklaces and a collection of gem-studded Patek Phillipe timepieces which alone were worth £580,000 . The three men - wearing identical balaclavas and boiler suits - took rings , necklaces and a collection of gem-studded Patek Phillipe timepieces which alone were worth £580,000 . The trio , armed with machetes and axes , ordered staff to lie on the floor before smashing their way through armoured glass display cabinets to grab fistfuls of valuables . Some criticism was raised over police conduct during the investigation into the robbery . Defending QC Mark Stewart claimed the evidence against his client had been 'tainted ' and 'polluted ' by senior officers from Police Scotland 's Serious Crime Squad and compared their tactics to the actions of corrupt cops in the fictional 70s TV series The Sweeney . Hood was eventually linked to the crime through DNA evidence which was found in two getaway cars used . Senior Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said the convivtion had come about 'as a result of excellent police work across a number of police forces . ' 'This robbery left several members of staff extremely shaken and caused extensive damage to the premises on top of the loss of the luxury items , ' Houston said . 'His conviction today should serve as a reminder that offences of this nature will not be tolerated and those found to be responsible will be brought to task , ' he added .
Michael Hood , 32 , from Edinburgh was getaway driver for the armed gang . two robbers 'terrorised ' shoppers in day-light-raid in busy shopping area . Group stole jewellery , and gem-studded watches worth £580,000 alone . Armed with machetes and axes they ordered staff to lie down during raid . Hood was caught out when his DNA was found in Three getaway cars used .