By Anna Edwards

anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk

TWO brothers have been jailed for their part in a robbery at Croydon's Costco store in which a supervisor was shot.

Heroic Colin Thomas was shot in the torso and left fighting for his life as he tried to stop the thieves leaving the wholesaler's off Purley Way.

Today (Wednesday), at Croydon Crown Court, Yohan Clarke, 31, of no fixed address, was jailed for life for conspiracy to rob, possessing a firearm at the time of committing an offence and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Younger brother Yamani Clarke, 23, from South Norwood, was jailed for 40 months for handling stolen goods.

Both had pleaded guilty.

Five hammer-wielding robbers, including Yohan Clarke, had charged into the store on September 17 last year at around 7.40pm.

Once inside, the men threatened staff and used a claw hammer to smash a triple glazed display cabinet containing £70,000 of jewellery - including a single 18 carat white gold ring valued at about £3,500.

While being chased from the store by Costco employees one of the robbers fired a shot, hitting Mr Thomas, 24.

The robber then waved the gun as if warning staff not to continue following them.

They then ran off across Purley Way and through the nearby playing fields.

Mr Thomas underwent emergency life-saving surgery to remove cartridge from near his aorta.

He also suffered blast injuries to his colon and gun shot wounds to his bowel, stomach, pancreas, and spent a substantial time in intensive care.

Police are still trying to trace other members of the gang involved in the robbery.

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