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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Josh Salisbury

Tower Hamlets: Man jailed for robbery of pregnant woman and her husband

Jailed: Fred Odum-Jones

(Picture: Met Police)

A man who robbed a couple in Tower Hamlets has been jailed for four-and-a-half years but the Met Police are appealing for information of a second man they wish to speak to.

Fred Odum-Jones, 38, of Laleham Road, Lewisham was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on November 2 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to robbery, assault by beating and dangerous driving.

However, police are still hunting a second man thought to have been involved in the robbery on July 20.

The court heard how the victims were returning home from a meal in central London, with the husband, aged in his 20s, carrying a bag containing cash and jewellery.

As the couple entered their block of flats, two men followed them into a communal area where they repeatedly punched the man and stole his bag.

The woman, who was six months pregnant at the time, tried to defend her husband but was pushed away by the attackers.

The suspects kicked the man as he lay on the floor before escaping. He chased them to a car, attempting to take back his bag, but they drove sway, dragging him along until he let go.

Image of second man police wish to speak to (Met Police)

Police have released images of a man they want to speak to, who is described as black, believed to be in his 30s and of stocky build.

He was wearing a white t-shirt, black jogging bottoms, white trainers and a black hat.

DC Tom Lynch-Lawton, Central East CID, said: “This was an absolutely terrifying experience for the victims on their own doorstep.

“Odum-Jones and his associate showed no regard for the safety of the victims - in particular a visibly pregnant woman - in their determination to get their hands on cash and jewellery which did not belong to them.

“The extent of their callousness was revealed when, already in possession of the victim’s bag, they continued to assault him while he lay prone on the floor.

“The streets of London are a safer place with Odum-Jones behind bars. We continue to carry out inquiries to trace the second suspect.”

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