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Graff jewellery shop robber Thomas Thomas lived in cannabis drugs factory in East Finchley

Monday 9th August 2010

By Kevin Bradford



THE man guilty of trying to disrupt the police response to Britain's biggest ever jewellery heist had been living in a former drugs factory in East Finchley.

Convicted Thomas Thomas was sentenced on Friday to serve 16 years for conspiring to rob the Graff Jewellers, in New Bond Street, last August.

The 46-year-old had hired a series of vans and placed them strategically in the area of Mayfair to prevent police getting to the scene of the
40 million robbery.

He was arrested on October 15 last year, just a day after officers from flying squad raided the property he gave as his home address, in Durham Road.

Police found about 30 cannabis plants growing under heat lamps in an upstairs bedroom of the three bedroom house.

Two people, a 32-year-old woman and a man, 25, were arrested at the scene but were not prosecuted due to a lack of evidence, Barnet police said.

Thomas was arrested on October 15 and charged for his role in the robbery. He was found guilty on June 29 and sentenced on Friday at Woowich Crown Court.

Neighbours living in Durham Road said people were aware there was something “dodgy” going on at the address for a number of months, but said Thomas seemed “pretty friendly” when they saw him.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “We had someone who was wearing hoodie type clothes trying to break in there a few months ago.

“The police seemed to know who he was and what was going on in the house.

“It is a really nice area and community around here, so it is a bit weird and shocking to know what has been going on in there.”

The raid on the jewellers was the largest ever in Britain. The gang entered the shop and held a gun to the manager's head during the robbery, while threatening to kill an assistant if she did not fill a black bag with jewels.

Aman Kassaye, 25, of Battersea, who planned the raid and brandished a gun during the hold up, was jailed for 16 years for conspiracy to rob, five years for possession of a firearm and two years for kidnap.

Solomun Beyene, 25, of Marylebone, and Clinton Mogg, 43, of Bournemouth, were both sentenced to 16 years in prison for conspiracy to rob.

The 43 stolen jewels, which included one necklace believed to be worth
3.5m, have never been recovered, and police are continuing to offer a
1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of the jewels or further arrests.

Detective Chief Inspector Pam Mace, leading the investigation, said: "The significant prison sentences handed down in this case reflect the seriousness of this offence and the impact it has had on the lives of innocent members of the public.

"This was a fast-moving, complex investigation. I'd like to pay tribute to all the witnesses for their courage in supporting this prosecution and to thank my team at the Flying Squad at Barnes, and everyone else who has worked tirelessly on this investigation.

"There remains an active ongoing investigation and we continue to appeal to anyone, including criminal associates, for information to trace the motor bike rider, and the whereabouts of the jewellery.”

Anyone who can help with information is urged to contact police on 0208 247 4804, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Photo

Bongme