A man has been been found guilty of conspiring to commit a £1.38 million watch robbery at a jewellery store which led to its manager taking his own life, a court heard.
Mannix Pedro, 37, was “closely involved in the planning and execution” of the raid of the 247 Kettles shop in Richmond on May 25 last year, Woolwich Crown Court heard. The store manager Oliver White, 27, took his own life the next day “as a direct result” of the robbery, in which more than 70 “high-value” watches were taken, prosecutors said.
None of the watches stolen in the robbery have been recovered, and none were insured, despite the business being a victim of theft three years earlier, jurors were told. Mr White was said to have felt “extremely upset” about the incident, during which he was tied up and put in a headlock, reports the Mirror.
A jury found Pedro, of Woking, Surrey, guilty of the offence on Wednesday by a majority verdict of 10 to one, after more than 23 hours of deliberation. Prosecutors said the defendant did not go into the shop during the robbery, but instead organised the use of a stolen Audi as one of two getaway cars.
A second defendant, Junior Kunu, 30, of Mitcham, south-west London, remains on trial charged with the same offence.
The trial resumes on Friday.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond.Sign up to our daily newsletter.