‘Criminal network’ in court for stealing £100,000 of watches, art and handbags

Credit: Metropolitan Police.Seven men from a “criminal network” stole more than £100,000 worth of watches, artwork and designer goods in “smash-and-grab” robberies, a court has heard.Robbers used sledgehammers, bricks and a Ford Fiesta to crash their way into a series of high-end London stores between May and August 2025.Through assessing vehicle movements and “thousands of hours” of CCTV footage, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the string of offences were all linked to the same “criminal network” operating near Paddington in west London.Christopher Gibbs, 43; George O’Hare, 42; Paul Hughes, 42; Anthony Munday, 40; Lee James McCready, 46; Matthew Windrass, 50; and David Rigelsford, 37, all appeared to be sentenced for their part in the activity at Kingston Crown Court on Friday.