Two men sentenced after luxury watch robbery – Essex

Two men have been sentenced for robbing a man of his luxury watch on a Southend-bound train, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Labroun Blake-Smith, 19 (26.08.05), of no fixed address, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 22 May to 18 months' imprisonment having been found guilty of robbery at an earlier hearing.

His accomplice Melike McAdam, 22 (13.12.02), of no fixed address, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on the same day to 15 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months, having pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

The court heard that at around 4.30pm on 31 March 2021 the victim, a 21-year-old man, was at Upminster railway station when he became aware of the pair looking at him from the opposite platform before he boarded a train to Southend Central railway station.

During the journey the pair approached him shortly after the train stopped at Basildon and Blake-Smith threatened him, intimating possession of a knife, before robbing him of his belongings, including a luxury watch and a cross body bag.

The pair left the train at Chalkwell railway station. The victim carried on to Southend Central, where he called police. An area search was conducted in the Leigh-on-Sea area and McAdam was stopped by police. He was found to be in possession of the victim's luxury watch.

Blake-Smith was also found near Leigh-on-Sea railway station following a search, with help from the National Police Air Service.

An investigation was launched by BTP officers, who seized CCTV and forensic evidence to prove Blake-Smith and McAdams' guilt.

Investigating officer PC Maria Wheele said: "Blake-Smith and McAdam targeted their victim, spotting him on the platform before carrying out their robbery and causing him to fear that he would be seriously harmed if he didn't hand his possessions over.

"I want to thank the victim for swiftly contacting police, meaning officers were able to carry out an area search that quickly resulted in them identifying and arresting the two men. This is further proof that robbery on the railway network will not be tolerated, and we'll do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice - as Blake-Smith and McAdam have found here."

Anyone who is the victim of robbery on the rail network, or a witness, should speak to an officer or member of staff, or you can text us on 61016, or call 0800 405040. In an emergency always call 999.

Labroun Blake-Smith