Three men have been jailed for a daylight smash-and-grab robbery at Gregory & Co jewellers in Richmond, London, where they used a sledgehammer to steal £225,000 worth of diamond and gold jewellery.
Gang members sentenced
Deniz Mehmet, 28, from Basildon, was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to rob the family jewellers at Kingston Crown Court. Robert Clarke, 50, from Rochford, received six years and six months, and Lee Ramsey, 46, of Harlow, was jailed for five years and three months for the same offence.
The robbery, caught on CCTV, took place in January, with two masked men smashing the window of the store in leafy Richmond before fleeing towards Richmond Green as terrified tourists and locals looked on.
Investigation and police comment
The trio were caught after officers analysed CCTV footage, carried out forensic analysis, and recovered a vehicle linked to the robbery. Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: 'Robberies of this kind cause real concern for residents and businesses in the communities that are targeted. It’s they who feel the immediate impact. These sentences mark a significant step in what has been a detailed and determined investigation. I hope they demonstrate our commitment to tackling smash‑and‑grab robberies in London by going after those involved, wherever they are. The groups responsible should be under no illusion – we will pursue you relentlessly and hold you to account.'
Local concerns over Ted Lasso connection
The jewellers is located two doors down from the flat of the manager of Richmond AFC, which is featured on the Apple TV show Ted Lasso. The flat was burgled about a year ago, and locals have told Metro they fear the show has highlighted the wealthy neighbourhood and become a magnet for thieves.
Eyewitness Amy Hilton, 26, an airline worker, said: 'I was in the cafe nearby. I heard a thumping and then looked over and two men were bashing in the window. It was very shocking there were people out and about and everyone was scared. The locals have been saying it could be the Ted Lasso series that has made the area more of a target. It was really scary.'
Karen Lewis, 65, who lives locally, said: 'The filming has brought unwanted attention to the area. There are more burglaries around the green with thieves knowing the houses are empty. Sometimes people live abroad some of the year. On the day of the robbery I could have been going past and caught up in it. It’s all very frightening.'
Another resident, Tony Puci, who lives near the jewellers, said: 'The Ted Lasso thing has definitely attracted more criminals it’s a magnet for thieves. Around a year ago someone tried to burgle Ted Lasso’s flat. I saw the raid on the jewellers it was in the morning and so shocking. I saw a bloke with a sledgehammer bashing the window. It was all over in under a minute.'
