Two individuals have been convicted in connection with a £1.1 million robbery at a watch shop in south-west London, where the store manager tragically took his own life the day after the incident.

On May 25, 2024, Oliver White, 27, was subdued in a headlock and bound during the burglary at the 247 Kettles retail outlet in Richmond. Over 70 high-value timepieces were taken, and Woolwich Crown Court has determined that Mr. White’s suicide was directly linked to the traumatic event.

Kyle Mehmet, 40, from Rotherham, and Michael Holmes, 34, from Sheffield, were found guilty of robbery conspiracy on Wednesday. A third accomplice, Mannix Pedro, was convicted of the same charge earlier in February.

Pedro, 37, from Woking, Surrey, was not present at the shop during the heist but played a significant role in its planning and execution, which included using a stolen Audi as one of the getaway vehicles.

All three will be sentenced at a future date yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Junior Kunu, 31, from Mitcham in south-west London, has been acquitted of conspiracy to commit robbery.

In a heartfelt statement, Mr. White’s mother, Amy Keane, expressed her profound sorrow: “We are all utterly heartbroken by the loss of our humorous, considerate, and loving son Oliver; our lives will never be the same and the pain of this loss is felt every moment of every day.”