Two jailed for Rolex street theft

Two men who attacked a young mother and stole her £10,000 Rolex watch have been jailed at the Old Bailey.

Leonard Fletcher, 31, from White City and 22-year-old Terry Clarke of Shepherd's Bush mugged Susan Homm in a west London street on 23 August, 2003.

Mrs Homm was with her mother and her two children, aged eight and five, when the attack took place.

Fletcher, who had previously been jailed for mugging, received a six-year term while Clarke was given four years.

Mouth covered

Toby Fitzgerald, prosecuting, had told the jury: "They were acting as a team and targeted this vulnerable group for that valuable Rolex watch."

Giving evidence, Mrs Homm said she was walking along a street in Fulham when she heard a rustling sound of someone running behind her.

She said: "A man appeared and covered up my mouth with his hand. I fell to the ground and heard my mother screaming."

The muggers ran off, but Mrs Homm said: "I looked down and my watch had gone.

"It was a gold Rolex with diamonds on the numbers, valued about £8,000 to £10,000."

Sentencing, Judge Gerald Gordon said: "These offences are all too easy to commit and are terrifying for the victims who may fear walking the streets for long or indefinite periods afterwards.

"The courts must ensure those caught will receive serious punishment."