Three men who meticulously planned and executed a £1.1 million jewellery shop robbery, which tragically led to the store manager taking his own life the following day, have been handed substantial prison sentences. The sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court marks the conclusion of a complex case that exposed both the greed of the perpetrators and the devastating human consequences of their actions.
Detailed Planning and Execution
Kyle Mehmet, aged 40, Michael Holmes, 35, and Mannix Pedro, 38, were found guilty of conspiring to rob more than 70 luxury watches from 247 Kettles, a high-end jewellery shop located in Richmond, London. The robbery occurred in May 2024 while the business owners, Conor Thornton and Joe Riley, were abroad in New York.
During the trial, jurors heard extensive evidence about the detailed preparation that went into the heist. The gang's planning was notably thorough, involving the theft of a getaway car, the use of counterfeit licence plates, and positioning a second vehicle nearby as a contingency. This level of organisation demonstrated a calculated approach to criminal activity.
The Tragic Aftermath for Oliver White
The human cost of the robbery became starkly apparent with the death of Oliver White, the 27-year-old store manager. During the incident, Mr White was restrained, tied up, and placed in a headlock by the intruders. In a state of profound distress following the theft, he attempted to transfer £14,000—savings intended for a flat deposit—to his employers, seemingly out of a sense of responsibility or guilt.
The store owners flew back to London immediately for what was described as an 'intense' meeting with Mr White the following day, which was also attended by a third businessman, Fred Sines. Notably, Mr Sines, a 37-year-old watch dealer, had previously received a suspended jail sentence earlier in the year for attempting to sell the £4.3 million gold toilet stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019.
Jurors heard that Oliver White was described as someone who did not see 'the risk or bad in anyone' and showed 'real enthusiasm for his work at Kettles'. However, in a heartbreaking revelation, he confided to his girlfriend that he had been accused by a man 'of not putting up enough of a fight' during the robbery. Not long after transferring the cash to his bosses, Mr White went missing, ceased responding to texts and calls, and was later found deceased by a friend in a wooded area he had frequented since childhood.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Paul Goddard, from the Crown Prosecution Service, stated: 'The greed of these three men has had considerable, and tragic, consequences. Not only did the business they targeted suffer the loss of over one million pounds' worth of stock, Oliver White, who was working at the premises, took his own life the following day as a direct result of the robbery. Our thoughts are with Oliver's loved ones for the terrible loss they have suffered.'
The prosecution outlined the specific roles each defendant played. Mannix Pedro was identified as a key organiser of the robbery who subsequently assisted in disposing of the stolen haul. Kyle Mehmet and another individual carried out the actual theft, stealing the watches and restraining Mr White, while Michael Holmes waited nearby in a supporting role. After the robbery, Mehmet escaped in a stolen car and met with Pedro and Holmes before travelling together to Colchester.
Mr Goddard emphasised the complexity of the case, noting that prosecutors had to carefully assemble evidence to build a comprehensive picture of each defendant's involvement, ultimately presenting a compelling case that led to their convictions.
Motivations and Sentences
During proceedings, it was revealed that Kyle Mehmet claimed he participated in the robbery because he owed £190,000 to 'serious criminals', whom he referred to as 'the firm'. He initially believed the job was an 'inside job' but fled to Turkey with his family upon learning there was a £100,000 'bounty' on his head.
The sentences handed down reflect the severity of the crimes. Kyle Mehmet, of Rotherham, received an 18-year prison sentence. Michael Holmes, of Sheffield, was sentenced to 13 years. Mannix Pedro, of Woking, faced the longest term with a 20-year sentence, as determined by Woolwich Crown Court on Friday.
This case serves as a sombre reminder of how organised criminal activities can extend beyond financial loss, leading to irreversible personal tragedies. The judicial outcome provides a measure of accountability, though it cannot undo the profound loss experienced by Oliver White's family and friends.
