Pair guilty of £1.38 million jewellery shop robbery linked to manager’s suicide
Two men were found guilty of planning a £1.38 million robbery that led to the manager of a jewelery shop taking his own life, a court heard.
Oliver White, 27, who was bound and put around his neck during the raid, committed suicide the next day as a direct result of the incident, a court heard.
Kyle Mehmet, 40, from Rotherham, and Michael Holmes, 34, from Sheffield, were found guilty of conspiracy to rob after a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
Mannix Pedro, 37, from Woking, was also convicted of the same offense in February.
More than 70 high-value watches were taken from 247 Kettles stores in Richmond, south-west London, on 25 May 2024.
Prosecutors said a distressed Mr White tried to transfer £14,000 of his savings to his bosses after the theft.
A hearing earlier this year heard he saw “no risk or malice in anyone” and “showed real enthusiasm for his work at Kettles”.
But Mr White said his girlfriend had been accused by a man of “not putting up enough of a fight”.
Shortly after transferring the money he disappeared and stopped responding to messages or calls.
His body was found by a friend in the forest where he went as a child.
None of the stolen watches were found and the shop was uninsured despite being the target of a burglary three years ago.
Earlier this year, Junior Kunu, 31, of Mitcham, south-west London, was cleared of conspiracy to rob the shop.
Kunu said the robbery was “orchestrated” and that everyone involved consented; He claimed he would have “put up a fight harder” if he had thought the robbery was real, including Mr White.
Mehmet, Holmes and Pedro will be sentenced at a later date.
If you are feeling distressed or struggling to cope, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free and confidential crisis helpline that anyone can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country you can go to: www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you.
