Man found guilty over £1.38m watch heist in Richmond
A man has been found guilty of conspiring to commit robbery after watches worth £1.38m were stolen from a Richmond jewellery store, the BBC report.
Mannix Pedro, 37, was "closely involved in the planning and execution" of the robbery from 247 Kettles in Richmond on 25 May last year, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
The store's office manager Oliver White, 27, took his life the following day "as a direct result" of the raid, jurors were previously told.
The jury found Pedro, from Woking in Surrey, guilty after more than 23 hours of deliberation.
A second defendant, Junior Kunu, 30, from Mitcham in south-west London, remains on trial charged with the same offence.
Prosecutors argued 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.
None of the watches stolen in the robbery were recovered and none were insured, despite the business being a victim of theft three years earlier, jurors were previously told.
In a statement paying to tribute to her son, White's mother, Amy Keane, said: "I would describe Oliver as a huge character, very warm and a brilliant person. He lit up the room when he entered it and was incredibly kind and caring, he would go above and beyond for anyone. He cared deeply for his family, was a wonderful role model for his little brother, as well as his two sisters.
"Oliver really wanted to make something of himself, he aspired to buy a house, have a family and was planning for his future and this influenced his decision to work 24/7 as he saw his friends doing well in a business they enjoyed.
"We know Oliver to be trustworthy and honest. Given the jury have convicted a man of planning and organising the robbery of Oliver, we take this as vindication of our firmly held belief he played no role in this offence and was not implicated in any involvement.
"We are all absolutely devastated with the loss of our funny, thoughtful and kind son Oliver, our lives will never be the same and we feel this loss every minute of every day."
Mr Kunu's trial resumes on Friday, 21 February.
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