A jury has been unable to reach a consensus in the trial involving a man accused of plotting a robbery at a jewelry store—a heist that ultimately led to the tragic suicide of its manager.
The defendant, 30-year-old Junior Kunu, faced charges alongside Mannix Pedro, who was convicted earlier in the week. The incident took place on May 25 at the 247 Kettles shop in Richmond, southwest London, where a significant number of high-value watches were stolen.
After deliberating for a total of 28 hours, the jury at Woolwich Crown Court was discharged in relation to Kunu’s case.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Oliver White, the shop’s office manager who was restrained and placed in a headlock during the robbery, took his life the following day. The court concluded that his death was a direct consequence of the traumatic event, which involved the theft of over 70 valuable timepieces.
Kunu, hailing from Mitcham, claimed that the robbery was staged with the complicity of all participants, including 27-year-old Mr. White, who he argued would have fought back more vigorously had he believed the robbery to be real.
A preliminary hearing to determine the possibility of a retrial has yet to be scheduled. Kunu, currently in custody, has been informed that his presence is not required at that session.
Jurors also learned that none of the stolen watches had been recovered, nor were they insured, despite the store having previously been the target of a theft three years ago.
In contrast, Pedro, 37, from Woking, Surrey, was found guilty on Wednesday of conspiracy to commit robbery. Although he was not physically present at the shop during the heist on May 25, the court noted that he played a significant role in both the planning and execution of the crime, which included utilizing a stolen Audi as one of the getaway vehicles.
