MOPED ROBBER JAILED

A moped robber who raided a London jewellers has been sentenced to eight years in jail. Jamie Farrell, 31, of Islington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at Southwark Crown Court.

He was one of six men on three mopeds and a motorcycle who raided Watches of Switzerland in Regent Street in June.

One moped was ridden through the jewellers’ doors, forcing them open, then three men wearing black crash helmets entered the store and attacked display cases with sledgehammers, targeting Rolex watches. Thirty watches were stolen, worth £440,000. Farrell was chased and monitored by members of the public before he was detained by police officers nearby. Detective Constable Phelim Redmond, of the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “Farrell was among a group of men who carried out a brazen robbery at a jewellers in the centre of London. I would like to thank the members of the public who helped identify Farrell.”