Daylight Thug Busted: Man Jailed for Two Violent Watch Robberies
A brazen crook who slammed two victims in broad daylight last summer for their luxury watches has been locked up for eight years. Christopher Shingler, 29, from Gauden Road, SW4, was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court of two violent robberies, one of which he admitted.
Shock Strangulation at Bus Stop
The first terrifying attack happened around 5pm on 8 July 2018. A man in his 40s was walking home from a supermarket on Wandsworth Road, SW8, when two men sitting at a nearby bus stop suddenly pounced. Shingler grabbed the victim from behind, strangled him, and even bit his leg during the struggle.
They ripped off the man’s expensive £6,800 watch before fleeing the scene.
Mother Attacked in Park Raid
Just two days later, on 10 July, a woman in her 40s was grabbed by two men while walking home from the park with her young children on Abbeville Road, SW4. The thugs wrestled her violently, leaving bruises and scratches, and stole her £11,250 Rolex.
The assault left the mother and her kids terrified to leave the house.
DNA Snares Shingler
Police linked Shingler to the crimes through DNA found on the victims’ wrists and from a bite mark on the male victim. Detective Constable Claire Brouner slammed the attacks as “violent and brazen,” highlighting the lasting trauma suffered by both victims.
“The victims have lost precious items that were never recovered. The vicious attacks left visible injuries and had a huge impact on their daily lives,” she said.
“I was attacked in broad daylight whilst walking home from the park with my young children. This attack left me and my children frightened to go out and about or get on with our daily routine,” the woman said. “I’m grateful to the Met Police for their hard work on this case to get someone held accountable for their actions that day.”
Second Suspect Still on the Loose
A 30-year-old man was arrested in December 2018 in connection with the attacks but has since been released under investigation. Police enquiries into the second suspect continue.
