A man has been found guilty of conspiring to commit a £1.38m watch robbery that prosecutors said led to the manager of the jewellery shop taking his own life.
Oliver White, 27, was tied up and put a headlock during the raid at the 247 Kettles store in Richmond, southwest London, in May last year, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
Mr White was said to be “extremely upset” after the incident and took his own life the next day “as a direct result” of the robbery, prosecutors said.
A jury has now found Mannix Pedro, 37, guilty of being “closely involved in the planning and execution” of the raid.
The jury gave a majority verdict of 10 to one after more than 23 hours of deliberation.
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More than 70 “high-value” watches were taken – none of which were insured despite the business being a victim of theft three years prior, jurors were told.
None of the watches have been recovered.
Pedro did not go into the shop during the robbery but instead organised the use of a stolen Audi as one of two getaway cars, prosecutors said.
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A second man – Junior Kunu, 30, from Mitcham, southwest London – remains on trial charged with the same offence.
The trial resumes on Friday.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
