Commendations for Cavendish robbery investigation team

The team who brought two violent offenders to justice following a robbery at the home of Mark and Peta Cavendish have been awarded commendations by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Atkin, Senior Crime Scene Investigator Paul Clark, Detective Sergeant Jonathan Ward, Criminal Intelligence Analyst Daniel D’Arcy, Police Constable Sean Sheppard, and Metropolitan Police Detective Sergeant Bryn Jefferies received their certificates at a ceremony at headquarters.

During the incident in November 2021, Mark Cavendish was seriously assaulted and violently threatened in front of his family. The intruders left with a Louis Vuitton suitcase and two watches.

Thanks to the dedicated work of detectives and forensics experts, Ali Sesay, then 28, of Windsor Road, Croydon, was quickly linked to the scene.

During the warrant to arrest him, two firearms were thrown into a neighbour’s garden. Sesay was subsequently charged with firearms offences and two counts of robbery.

Officers then linked Sesay to another man, Romario Henry, who they could place in the area at the time of the robbery.

Both men were already part of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into a south London gang.

Sesay admitted each of the charges and was sentenced to a total of 20 years.

Henry, then 31, of Bell Green, London SE26, denied two counts of robbery but was found guilty in court. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Atkin was the senior investigating officer on the case.

He said: “We worked closely with forensics and put together a very compelling case that led to Sesay’s guilty plea and Henry being found guilty of the strength of the evidence.

“The length of the sentences reflects the fact that these were extremely dangerous offenders who the judge deemed were involved in serious organised crime.

“I’m really proud of the team. Loughton CID, the crime scene investigators, the crime scene manager, and the Metropolitan Police all collaborated to bring these men to justice. We were also pleased for the family who showed tremendous strength throughout the case.

"The investigation is still ongoing and as a team we will not rest until all of those involved are detained."

Detective Sergeant Bryn Jefferies of the Met’s Specialist Crime North, contacted the Essex investigation team and provided evidence about vehicles, phones and known associations that was key to the conviction.

He added: “The commendation was completely unexpected. You go to work and do your job. You don’t do it for the recognition but I do feel incredibly proud to receive one.”

Speaking after the event, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said:

“Thanks to the outstanding work of our team of detectives and forensics specialists, two ruthless criminals are now serving significant prison sentences.

“This was a violent, targeted attack and the team worked tirelessly to identify the individuals responsible. Their dedication and professionalism were exceptional and they should be extremely proud of the role they played in bringing two dangerous men to justice.”

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