Migrant Sentenced for Role in Terrifying Knightsbridge Designer Handbag Raid
A migrant who initially flew to Britain as a tourist before attempting to claim asylum has been jailed for his involvement in a violent robbery at a prestigious Knightsbridge department store. The incident, which saw staff threatened with a large knife during a raid targeting luxury designer handbags, has highlighted broader concerns about asylum claims and criminal activity.
The Orchestrated Heist at Design Exchange
On 20 October 2024, a gang executed a carefully planned burglary at the Design Exchange boutique on London's famous Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. The group, which included at least two asylum seekers, arrived posing as a fruit delivery team before donning balaclavas and arming themselves with weapons. They then stormed the upmarket store, brandishing knives and terrifying employees.
The thieves specifically targeted high-value items, making off with nine Hermes handbags worth approximately £70,000. During the confrontation, shop workers fled the premises in fear for their safety, with only one security guard remaining inside. Prosecutors noted that while the robbery caused significant economic loss to the victims, seven of the stolen bags were later recovered by authorities.
Key Figures and Legal Proceedings
The central figure in the case, Akeem Lutchman-Singh, aged 22 and originally from Trinidad, was this week sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court. Lutchman-Singh had entered the United Kingdom as a holidaymaker before subsequently claiming asylum, arguing that it would be too dangerous for him to return to the Caribbean.
He was not acting alone. The gang included fellow asylum seeker Tyrease James, 20, along with Romeo Grannam, 37, and Acton Francis, 40. The group was driven to the scene by getaway driver Kenneth Duncan, 57, who used his legitimate fruit delivery business as cover for the criminal operation. All five men eventually admitted burglary charges, though four initially denied the more serious offence of aggravated burglary with intent.
Claims of Duress and Safety Concerns
Following his arrest, Lutchman-Singh presented a prepared statement claiming he had been forced to participate in the robbery under duress. He asserted that two unidentified males had threatened him, leaving him with no choice but to burgle the Design Exchange. The migrant reiterated his asylum narrative, stating he had fled Trinidad due to serious safety concerns and that these same threats had compelled his criminal actions in London.
Similarly, Tyrease James claimed in his statement that he had been coerced by what he described as 'extremely dangerous Caribbean males' with connections to his problems in Trinidad. Both defendants suggested they participated in the raid out of genuine fear for their personal safety should they refuse.
Judicial Response and Broader Implications
Mr Recorder Peter Krepski, presiding over the case, dismissed these claims of duress during sentencing. The judge emphasised the terrifying nature of the crime, particularly the use of knives in a public setting. 'The thought of people being armed with knives on our street, let alone being armed to commit burglary is terrifying to the public,' he remarked, describing the raid as 'extremely unpleasant.'
Other gang members received substantial sentences: Francis, Duncan, and Grannam were each jailed for 31 months, while James received a 19-month prison term. The court heard that the offence was aggravated by being committed as part of an organised group, demonstrating 'some degree of planning' according to prosecutor Martin Hooper.
Immigration Context and Future Deportation
This case emerges against a backdrop of increased asylum claims from Trinidadian citizens, which had risen tenfold to 439 annually prior to the robbery. In response, the UK government subsequently imposed new visa requirements on visitors from Trinidad. Despite Lutchman-Singh's repeated claims of being in danger—both if deported and if he refused to participate in the crime—he now faces likely deportation upon completion of his jail term.
The sentencing underscores ongoing debates about asylum processes, migrant integration, and criminal justice responses to organised theft targeting luxury retailers in the capital. The violent nature of the robbery, combined with the immigration status of several perpetrators, has drawn particular attention to the intersection of crime and migration policy in contemporary Britain.
