THREE men who carried out a daylight raid on a Maidstone jewellers have appeared in court.

The trio grabbed watches worth about £30,000 during the burgalry at Fraser Hart, Fremlin Walk, on February 13.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Corey Fregis, 18, Kiley Nightingale, 21, and Malachi Jones, 19, were armed with a sledgehammer at the time.

They were originally charged with robbery but all three pleaded not guilty when they appeared at Maidstone Crown Court last Friday.

They did, however, admit burglary and sentence was adjourned for probation reports.

Judge Jeremy Carey warned them that custody was “absolutely inevitable” but despite being “seasoned offenders” reports were needed because of their young ages.

Fregis, of Maxted Road, Peckham, Nightingale, of Perry Vale, Forest Hill, and Jones, of Glengarry Road, East Dulwich, all south east London, were remanded in custody until June 6.