Two violent robbers who used claw hammers and fists to steal cash and jewellery from terrified employees have been jailed for 31 years.
James Dixon, 42, and Thomas Loring, 41, were jailed for a total of 31 years for a crime wave that spread from the Old Kent Road to Chelsea.
The court heard that Dixon and Loring were part of an organised crime network in South London that targeted shops and cash transit vans, leaving victims with “serious injuries”.
In one incident in March 2024, two shop workers in their 70s were attacked with a claw hammer during a robbery at an antique jewellery shop in Chelsea, where around £200,000 worth of products was stolen.
Dixon and Loring were arrested after an attack on a cash transit worker at a Post Office on the Old Kent Road on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. They punched and kicked the individual, stealing £26,000.
The pair were brought to justice after specialist officers reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, using evidential profiling, analysis of DNA and vehicle monitoring technology.
Dixon, of no fixed address was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday, 22 January to seventeen years’ imprisonment.
He had previously pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to steal, robbery of cash and possession of an offensive weapon.
Loring, of Mottingham, was jailed for fourteen years. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery following a trial in November.
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Detective Inspector Kelly Schonhage of the Met’s Flying Squad, who led the investigation said: “It is simply not right that any individual considers themselves free to steal and bully those around them, just as James Dixon and Thomas Loring left in their wake a series of serious injuries and distress following violent robberies across London and Kent.
“We know from our investigation that this criminal network was proficient, competent and well-organised, with an in-depth understanding of forensics. But thanks to the painstaking work of officers, the victims of Dixon and Loring have been given the justice they deserve.
“We continue to use innovative methods, data and technology to build intelligence about robbery and combat violent crime in the capital which our New Met for London plan highlights is a priority for the Met.”
Senior Security Manager at the Post Office Mark Dinsdale said: “We’re grateful to the Metropolitan Police and their officers for all their work to bring these serious criminal offenders to justice.
“Where Postmasters, or our own cash delivery drivers, are the victims of crime this has a devastating impact on them and also a knock-on-effect on our branches’ ability to provide everyday cash and banking services to local communities.
“We will continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police to support their efforts to prevent or detect criminal behaviour.”
