Three jailed over £225,000 jewellery shop raid

Three men have been jailed for raiding a jewellery shop in south-west London and stealing £225,000 worth of stock.

Deniz Mehmet, 28, Robert Clarke, 50, and Lee Ramsey, 46, all from Essex, targeted the business in Paved Court, Richmond, on 31 January.

The Metropolitan Police said the shop window was smashed with a sledgehammer during daylight hours before the men made off with the jewellery.

They were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, having admitted the offence.

Mehmet, of Elham Drive, Basildon, was jailed for five years, court staff said.

Clarke, of Lever Lane, Rochford, was given six years and six months, and Ramsey, of Hastingwood Road, Harlow, five years and three months.

Officers identified the men after reviewing CCTV, carrying out forensic analysis and recovering a vehicle believed to have been linked to the raid.

Clarke and Ramsey were arrested at their homes in the early hours of 31 March, while Mehmet was detained in the street on 8 April.

Det Supt Dan Mitchell, of the Met's Flying Squad, said robberies of this kind caused real concern for residents and businesses in the areas targeted, as they would have felt the immediate impact of this type of crime.

"These sentences mark a significant step in what has been a detailed and determined investigation," he said.

"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."

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