A man who stole more than £2 million of jewellery from the home of the stepson of billionaire businessman Sir Philip Green has been jailed for 21 years, police said.
Robert Lewis, 41, was sentenced on Wednesday, a day after a jury found him guilty of burglary and robbery.
A jury at Harrow Crown Court had heard that an intruder broke into Brett Palos and his wife Magda’s house, and Mrs Palos was ordered to hand over all her valuables while she was wearing only a towel – having just stepped out of the shower.
Lewis was sentenced to 18 years for robbery, extended for three years due its seriousness, eight years for burglary and five years for possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause a police sergeant to be put in fear of violence, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force, who said the sentences will run concurrently, added that Lewis was also disqualified from driving for three years.
A heart-shaped diamond ring, a Chanel Camelia ring, three Cartier bracelets and a number of Rolex watches were among the stolen items, the court heard.
In total, £2,003,653 worth of jewellery and watches were taken in the raid on December 10 2016 at around 7.15am.
A window had been forced on the ground floor of the property which sits at the end of a private, gated street in St John’s Wood, north west London.
Lewis, of Paddington, west London, was picked out of an identity parade and a full-match profile of his DNA was found around the damaged window frame, the jury heard.
Lewis, who has a string of previous convictions for burglary and attempted burglary, did not give evidence at trial or answer any questions when interviewed by police.
Scotland Yard said Lewis will not be eligible for release until he has served at least 12 years of his sentence.
Mr Palos is the son of Sir Philip’s wife Lady Christina Green and her first husband, Robert Palos.
He is a property developer and also sits on the board of Sir Philip’s Arcadia Group, which owns brands including Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins.