£1.4m watch robbery led to manager's death - court

Oliver White took his own life after the jewellers he managed was robbed

The manager of a jewellers took his own life "as a direct result" of a robbery in which he was tied up while watches worth more than £1.38m were stolen, a court has heard.

Junior Kunu, 30, and Mannix Pedro, 37, are on trial at Woolwich Crown Court charged with conspiring with others to commit the robbery.

More than 70 "high value" watches were taken from the 247 Kettles shop in Richmond, south-west London, on 25 May last year, the jury was told.

Mr Kunu, of Mitcham, south-west London, and Mr Pedro, of Woking, Surrey, both deny the charges.

Opening the case, prosecutor Edward Brown KC said office manager Oliver White, 27, had been "tied up" during the robbery.

"There was, however, a postscript to this robbery - and a truly tragic postscript," he said.

"The following day, therefore 26 May, Oliver White - as a direct result of the robbery - took his own life."

Mr Brown told the court the defendants played different roles in the plot, with Mr Kunu having entered the premises to carry out the robbery, while Mr Pedro, who did not attend the shop on 25 May, was "closely involved in the planning and execution", including the use of a stolen Audi as one of two getaway cars.

'Recce'

Mr White was first contacted by the conspirators through Instagram and then later on WhatsApp about three months before the robbery, the prosecution said.

Two days before the robbery, the men visited 247 Kettles to view watches with the prospect of making a purchase after arranging the appointment via Instagram, the court heard.

Mr Brown said this visit was an "aborted robbery" or a "recce" for the operation on 25 May.

None of the watches have been recovered, the prosecutor said.

The trial continues.