A young thug has escaped a jail term despite robbing two jewellery stores armed with a sledgehammer and stealing more than $200,000 worth of goods in less than two hours.

Judge Liz Gaynor said Akon Mawien's case was 'exceptional' as he was sentenced to a three-and-a-half year Community Corrections Order at the County Court in Victoria on Tuesday.

Mawien, 20, was with three other youngster wearing hooded sweatshirts and balaclavas as they robbed two jewellery stores in Melbourne while armed with sledgehammers on July 7, 2016, making off with $200,000 worth of jewellery and designer watches.

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Judge Liz Gaynor said Akon Mawien's (centre) case was 'exceptional' as he was sentenced to a three-and-a-half year Community Corrections Order

Mawien, 20, was with three other youngster wearing hooded sweatshirts and balaclavas as they robbed two jewellery stores in Melbourne

Armed with sledgehammers on July 7, 2016, the group stole $200,000 worth of jewellery and designer watches

Apex gang leader Mahmoud Taha organised for the group to rob Citizen Victorian Watch Repair in the CBD and Farah Jewellery in Coburg promising them money and girls, the Herald Sun reported.

Judge Gaynor said Mawien had shown genuine remorse.

'It's quite clear from all the materials I've got before me today, you have continued on that path to reform to the highest level,' she said.

'I am satisfied the gains you have made mean you are not a danger to the community.'

Mawien will be supervised for five years as part of his community corrections order, will complete 300 hours of unpaid community work and take part in special programs aimed to ensure he doesn't reoffend.

Judge Gaynor said any reporting which suggested Mawien was linked to the Apex gang was inaccurate.

Mawien will be supervised for five years as part of his community corrections order, will complete 300 hours of unpaid community work and take part in special programs aimed to ensure he doesn't reoffend

Apex gang leader Mahmoud Taha organised for the group to rob Citizen Victorian Watch Repair (left) in the CBD and Farah Jewellery in Coburg (right)

However she admitted Mawien's co-accused and childhood friend Maker Mayoum knew members of the gang.

The judge said Mawien had never met gang ringleader Taha, and blamed his offending on ice, saying Mawien was 'fed' the drug.

She also blamed his recruitment to get involved in the crime plot was due to 'aimlessness' while recovering from an injury.

Before the jewellery heist Mawien was an up and coming cricketer for the Sunshine Heights club.

He pleaded guilty to armed robbery, aggravated burglary and theft.

Before the jewellery heist Mawien was an up and coming cricketer for the Sunshine Heights club