February 1st 2025.
On May 25, store manager Oliver White, 27, was working at the 247 Kettles store in Richmond when he was suddenly ambushed by two men. They restrained him using cable ties and put him in a headlock while they stole over 70 watches worth anywhere from £3,000 to £70,000. It was a terrifying and traumatic experience for Oliver, who was found dead the next day in a wooded area in Shepperton, Surrey, by a close friend.
The incident also had a devastating impact on the store's co-owner, Conor Thornton, who had known Oliver for over 10 years and considered him a good friend. The day before the robbery, Conor had a meeting with Oliver where they discussed the possibility of an inside job. However, Conor has since denied ever accusing Oliver of being involved in the £1.4 million raid. He maintains that the accusation was never made and that they were simply discussing the risks of running a business.
The robbery was a tragic event that not only resulted in the loss of valuable merchandise, but also in the loss of a young man's life. The prosecution claims that Oliver's suicide was a direct result of the robbery, which adds another layer of tragedy to this already heartbreaking situation. The two men responsible for the robbery, Junior Kunu, 30, and Mannix Pedro, 37, have been charged with conspiring with others to commit the crime.
According to the prosecutor, Edward Brown KC, the two men stuffed the stolen watches into a backpack while Oliver was still in a headlock. It is also alleged that Kyle Bowrage, an accomplice who has since fled the country, had scheduled a meeting with Oliver in order to ensure that all the desired timepieces were available. Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Bowrage putting Oliver in a headlock while he was sitting in his office chair.
This case not only highlights the tragic consequences of a robbery, but also brings attention to the importance of mental health and seeking support when needed. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the subjects in this article, please reach out for help. Samaritans can be reached at 116123 or via email at
[email protected].
As the trial continues, more details have emerged about the events leading up to the robbery. It was revealed that two of the alleged robbers, Bowrage and Michael Ashman, have since fled abroad and are currently on the run. In addition, it was also revealed that the store was well-equipped with various security measures, such as CCTV, panic buttons, and magnetic lock doors, but the watches were not insured.
This lack of insurance is particularly concerning considering that the company's previous store in Egham, Surrey was robbed of £250,000 worth of watches in 2021, also while the watches were uninsured. In fact, the police had even warned the owners in February of last year that their premises were at risk of a robbery, two months before it actually took place. It seems that the owners were aware of the potential risks, yet still chose not to insure their valuable merchandise.
During the trial, Conor Thornton confirmed that Oliver had been made aware of the risks and that both he and co-owner Joe Riley were in New York at the time of the robbery. They immediately flew home upon hearing the news, arriving the next morning. They then had two meetings with Oliver, who Conor described as still being in shock from the previous day's events. However, things took a turn for the worse during the meeting, with the owners becoming critical of Oliver's actions.
Defense lawyer Tyrone Smith KC questioned Conor about the meeting, suggesting that it did not go very well and that the owners became critical of Oliver. He also insinuated that they may have accused Oliver of being involved in the robbery. However, Conor denied ever making such accusations and maintained that they were simply trying to understand what had happened. He also denied ever suggesting that Oliver was involved in the robbery.
The trial continues as the prosecution presents their case against Junior Kunu and Mannix Pedro, who deny conspiring to commit the robbery. This tragic event has not only left a community mourning the loss of a young man, but also raises important questions about the consequences of not taking necessary precautions and the impact of mental health on individuals and their actions.
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