£1m jewellers robbery boss jailed

Police said Oxley and his gang were caught following a covert operation

A man who plotted and directed a gang of robbers to steal more than £1m in jewellery has been jailed for 12 years.

Dean Oxley, 30, from Mayeswood Road, Lewisham, south east London, and 12 members of his gang were jailed by Kingston Crown Court for the robberies.

Oxley was described by police as a "Fagin-type character" who waited nearby as his recruits robbed shops.

Oxley, who denied all allegations, was convicted of five counts of conspiracy to rob.

Fraser Hart jewellers and Pravins in Brent Cross, Ernest Jones stores in Chelsea and Oxford Street, and a Chiswick store called Marmalade were targeted in the robberies between April and July last year.

The court heard Oxley, who was described as a "natural born leader", recruited men aged between 18 and 29 and waited nearby as the men stormed shops, threatening and shouting at staff.

'Influential figure'

During a heist a pregnant store employee was ordered to crouch on the floor as a gang member held a chair over her head and threatened to hurt her.

A covert operation by police was finally able to catch the gang.

Kenneth Millet, prosecuting, told the jury that mobile phone records proved Oxley was always close to the crime scene.

"He orchestrated the events, waiting nearby ready to share out the proceeds," Mr Millet said.

"He was there to oversee matters using others to take the actual risk of committing the offence."

The gang stole jewellery and expensive watches

The mastermind claimed his presence was a coincidence.

Following the sentencing, Det Sgt Steve Kiely said: "Oxley acted as a Fagin-type character to recruit young members into the gang.

"He was an prominent and influential figure within South London organised crime circles.

"He regarded himself as untouchable remaining at arms length from any robbery."

Police said they have so far recovered £6,000 in cash and £100,000 worth of watches from the gang which stole items worth £1.025m.

Andel Watson, 18, and Jason Brown, 29, both from Brixton; Marvin Samuels, 23, and Ayoade Adeshina, 18, both from Croydon; Damian Gordon, 26, of no fixed abode; Craig Frawley, 23, from Erith; Gary Bailey, 28, from Deptford; Jonathan Odokama, 19, from Norbury Hill; Nathan Davis, 23, from Potters Lane; Daniel Joseph, 25, and Oliver Gouldbourne, both from South Norwood were all jailed for between three and seven years.

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Robbery gang mastermind, Dean Oxley, get 12 years