Ongar: Third man jailed after robbery at Cavendish home

A man who was part of a violent criminal group which entered the family home of British cycling champion Mark Cavendish and his wife Peta has been jailed for a total of 15 years.

On Monday, Jo Jobson was convicted of his part in the violent robbery in the early hours of Saturday 27 November 2021 and was sentenced today at Chelmsford Crown Court.

During the incident Mr Cavendish was seriously assaulted and violently threatened in front of his family.

Two men, Ali Sesay and Romario Henry, have already been convicted as part of our investigation and sentenced to a combined total of 35 years in February this year.

At that stage, two men remained outstanding, one of whom was Jo Jobson.

Jobson was identified following the work of diligent detectives after a phone was recovered from outside the Cavendish home.

Sesay, one of the intruders, had taken Mrs Cavendish’s phone and had dropped it as he left the property.

His DNA was found on the phone, which led to him being identified.

Further data drawn from that device meant we were able to identify a number of contact numbers which appeared to be involved in the robbery, one of which was attributed to Jobson.

He claimed the phone was not his, but jurors returned unanimous guilty verdicts on two counts of robbery.

Today, Wednesday 1 November, he was jailed for a total of 15 years.

His Honour Judge Timothy Walker said the incident “continues have a dreadful impact on the whole family and "the harm caused to all of them is clear”.

He added:

“It was a targeted and carefully planned robbery. It was a carefully executed… You concealed your identities and took weapons to the property, and it took place in the presence of a young child.”

His Honour also said Jobson and his associates and cleared “caused serious psychological harm” to the family.

He also praised the Essex Police officers who investigated the case for their “professionalism” and “careful work” which led to today’s sentencing.

In a statement, Mark and Peta Cavendish said:

"On behalf of our family I would like to say that we are 'happy' with the guilty verdict and subsequent sentence reached today.
"But 'happy' would be the wrong word to use, however we are offered some comfort in the outcome reached today.
"Nothing about this whole process has been 'happy'.
"It has been harrowing, distressing and heartbreaking for our family. Our children.
"To have to keep reliving the events of that horrific night, whilst trying to simultaneously heal from it is a tough path to tread.
"However, we are incredibly grateful for the hard work of the Essex Police and prosecution team for tirelessly treading it with us to pursue some justice for our family."

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Atkin, who has led our investigation into the incident from the outset, said:

"Although the officers involved in this case will see it purely as them simply doing their job, this investigation has been far from ordinary. This was not a random opportunist crime, but was targeted, well-planned out and organised by a group clearly involved in organised serious crime.
“From locating Peta’s phone outside the property, we have been able to piece together the movements of a criminal gang from the moment they left their base in London, throughout their journey to the Cavendish home and their return journey.
“At this stage, we now have three men convicted for their parts in this violent incident in a family home. However we know from the evidence that four masked men with weapons entered that house.
“I’ve made no secret about being horrified at the threats made and violence used by this crime group in front of a young family – and my determination to ensure that justice is served. Today is the end of one more chapter."

DCI Atkin added:

“However the investigation continues. Our final suspect, George Goddard, remains outstanding and I know the net is closing in on him. He will also know this and feel this.
“To him, I say time is running out George, you will not stay hidden. We will continue to pursue you.”

DCI Atkin added:

“We know the group responsible for this are connected to organised crime. This robbery was targeted and it was violent. More than anything else, it was carried out in front of Mark and Peta’s young family.
“As a dad myself, I have been determined to bring the people responsible for this crime to justice.
“Jobson’s conviction leaves just one final piece of the jigsaw – and that is George Goddard.
“Goddard remains outstanding and we are continuing our efforts to locate him and I would reiterate my message to him; you cannot stay hidden forever; those who may be helping you cannot help you forever. It is in your best interests to come forward.”

Goddard is from Loughton but has connections across east London.
Anyone with information on Goddard should contact us on 101 and cite ‘Operation Chamber’.

You can also report any information on the men to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by submitting a report on their website at crimestoppers-uk.org.

A man who spent 19 months attempting to evade justice has been convicted of his part in a violent robbery at the home of British cycling champion Mark Cavendish and his wife Peta.

The couple’s home, in the Ongar area of the county, was entered by a number of men in the early hours of Saturday 27 November 2021.

During the incident Mr Cavendish was seriously assaulted and violently threatened in front of his family.

The intruders left with a Louis Vuitton suitcase and two watches.

Two men, Ali Sesay and Romario Henry, have already been convicted as part of our investigation and sentenced to a combined total of 35 years in February this year.

At that stage, two men remained outstanding, one of whom was Jo Jobson.

On 5 June 2023, Jobson was arrested at Chelmsford police station and questioned on suspicion of robbery and GBH.

The 26-year-old, of no fixed abode, was charged with two counts of robbery, both relating to the incident in November 2021.

Jobson denied all charges and a five-day trial was held at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Today, Monday 30 October, Jobson was found guilty of both counts. He will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 1 November. 

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Atkin, who has led our investigation from the outset, said:

“Today is a significant milestone in this investigation.
“Within days of the incident, we identified Jobson’s involvement in this offence and set about trying to trace his whereabouts. The investigative team went about building strong cases against his associates, who were subsequently jailed for a significant period of time in February this year, whilst efforts continued to pursue Jobson, which included both appeals to the public via the press and Crimewatch.
“In June this year, he was arrested. He believed he could evade justice, but he was wrong. I said many times throughout this investigation that we would not stop looking for him.”

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