Trio jailed for series of watch robberies in central London

The Metropolitan Police Service is focused on reducing the number of robberies taking place on the streets of London by targeting robbery ‘hotspots’ with increased patrols. This action prevents and deters robberies from taking place as officers work to identify, apprehend and also deter potential offenders.

In this case, detectives recovered and viewed hours of CCTV footage to link one vehicle and the offenders to the three robberies, discovering the offenders had conducted surveillance on members of the public to identify their victims.

Three victims across Stratton Street and Brewer Street in Mayfair were threatened with violence as they tried to prevent the robbers from making off with their high-value watches, two of which were stolen.

The offenders were arrested on 30 July last year and clothing worn at the time of the offences was recovered, cementing the links between the offenders and the incidents. The offenders were later charged and remanded in custody.

Details of the sentences

On 25 June 2024 at Southwark Crown Court, Tedros Haile (aged 35 of Fulham Palace Road in Hammersmith) pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. He was later found guilty of a further count of robbery and one charge of attempted robbery following a trial at the same court on 11 February this year.

Mahad Jammeh, aged 24 of Beaconsfield Road in Enfield and Christian Whittingham (aged 27 of Granville Road in Uxbridge) pleaded guilty to one count of robbery on 28 August 2024. They later pleaded guilty to the two further counts on 4 November 2024.

Haile and Jammeh attended Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on 17 April this year. Haile was sentenced to 11 years in prison and Jammeh was sentenced to eight years. Whittingham was sentenced on the same charges at Southwark Crown Court on 20 June and given a prison term of ten years and six months.

Significant impact

Detective Inspector Lizzie Beeston, who led the Metropolitan Police Service’s investigation, explained: “Our investigation has ensured three violent offenders have been removed from our streets. Every robbery has a significant impact on the victim. This is a violent crime that leaves a significant and lasting effect on the victim.”

Beeston added: “Tackling violent crime in all its forms is one of the Metropolitan Police Service’s priorities and we’re determined to reduce the number of robberies. As part of the ‘New Met for London Plan’, localised proactive teams have been set up to deal with robberies that affect our local communities.”