Graff Robbers Get Long-Term Sentencing

Aman Kassaye (above) was found guilty and has been jailed for his role in the Graff robbery in August 2009 Photo: Metropolitan Police/PA

A British court sentenced 25 years-old Aman Kassaye to 23 years in jail for his leading role in the Graff store robbery that took place in August 2009. Three of his accomplices were each sentenced to 16 years after they were convicted of conspiracy to rob.

Kassaye was one of two robbers that entered the London Graff store on Old Bond street. He and Craig Calderwood, 27, pulled out handguns and threatened to shoot store employees as they collected 43 rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches and earrings from display cases. Among the stolen items they took was a diamond necklace worth £3.5 million ($5.3 million).

The record £40 million ($60 million) haul has yet to be recovered.

Kassaye, who planned and executed the theft, was jailed for 16 years for conspiracy to rob, five years for possessing a firearm and a further two years for kidnap.

As they fled from the scene, Kassaye and Calderwood collided with a cab, losing a mobile phone in the process. The numbers and text messages on the lost phone provided investigators with critical information in tracking the perpetrators.

Calderwood is facing a retrial after the jury failed to reach a verdict in his case. He admitted to being a robber, but claimed he acted under threats to kill him and his mother.