Jewel thief followed victim to her home

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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The boss of a fancy goods business was followed for over 20 miles to her home near Droitwich Spa and robbed of jewellery worth £3,000.

Alison Hargreaves was targeted by a gang keeping watch in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter. They shadowed the victim for two and half hours, which included travelling in two cars behind her vehicle down the M5 to her home in the village of Snead’s Green, where she ran her firm Mid Haven Ltd, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Robber Raul Ramirez-Perez, who entered Britain from Columbia on a stolen passport, smashed the window of her car during a violent struggle, said David Swinnerton, prosecuting.

And a postman, calling to collect the victim’s business mail, rammed her car with the defendant inside in a bid to stop him grabbing a suitcase containing the valuables.

T he gang drove off, but police eventually arrrested the 34-year-old robber after obtaining information from a firm which insured cars for Spanish-speaking drivers.

Father-of-one Ramirez-Perez, of Tulse Hill, Brixton, London, was jailed for six years and eight months after pleading guilty to robbery.

Recorder Christopher Donnellan QC said it was a pre-planned, violent and professional crime.

Mrs Hargreaves had since installed security cameras and iron gates, but was now unable to stay alone at her property through fear.

She had gone to Birmingham on September 15 last year with a suitcase of samples to make calls on clients, but was followed by two men from around 1.30pm.

As she drove into her village at 4pm, she stopped to talk to her daughter. But when she arrived on her driveway a Vauxhall Vectra containing Ramirez-Perez was already parked there.

Mr Swinnerton described how the brave victim fought the robber as he tried to get into her car.

She kicked out at him, but he grabbed her ankles. She also held onto the steering wheel – and feared she was going to be kidnapped.

Eventually the robber got the keys to her house and car and the case of silver jewellery.

Postman Peter Hughes, who saw three men in the Vauxhall, gave chase in his van. The other car followed. Mrs Hargreaves identified the defendant after his arrest on October 2 in London.

Defence counsel Sham Uddin said Ramirez-Perez had come to Britain looking for work six weeks before the robbery.

He was only responsible for minor injuries and was scared of a long sentence because he wanted to return home.

Mr Uddin said he wanted to express his remorse to Mrs Hargreaves and apologise to the the British people.

The recorder recommended deportation when the defendant has served his sentence.

[smokerjim]

And I bet he got a "blameworthy" & a ticking off from his transport mgr