Two brothers used bolt croppers to force their way into a city centre shop and steal a huge haul of jewellery and watches, a court heard.

Mark and John Turner were stopped by a police officer at 2am on August 5 after cutting through the security shutter – but were let go as there was nothing incriminating on them, Norwich Crown Court was told. Two hours later, the pair are alleged to have gone back to Cash Converters on St Benedict's Street to steal £47,000-worth of goods that had been pawned by customers.

Mark, 43, and John 45, both of Magdalen Close, Norwich, are on trial having denied the burglary. Sally Hobson, prosecuting, said the brothers were seen in the area at about 2am. They had run off down an alleyway and dumped the bolt croppers and gloves in a churchyard, so when PC Claire Collins stopped them they had nothing incriminating on them.

She said PC Collins took their details and let them go as at the time no one was aware of the break-in.

But Ms Hobson claimed that the brothers then returned to Cash Converters at about 4am. One of them went into the store and broke into cabinets to steal watches and jewellery, while the other acted as a lookout, she added.

She said the retail value of the items taken was £47,729.

Ms Hobson told the jury: 'The issue is: were these two defendants responsible for that burglary? One was waiting outside acting as lookout and just because one of them did not go in the store it does not mean they are not guilty of the burglary. They are just as guilty.'

She said the two men were arrested at their address off Magdalen Street and items seized included a distinctive scarf, which the prosecution said was worn by one of the defendants during the burglary.

When interviewed both men denied any involvement in the burglary.

A statement was read from Mark Daniels, from Cash Converters, who said that the store had been securely locked the night before the break-in and he was made aware of the burglary the next morning when staff arrived at the store.

He said that glass cases containing jewellery and watches had been smashed.

The trial continues.