21-04-2025
Detectives hunting 'Night Watcher' burglar release images of three watches stolen in violent £1.4m raid on 63-year-old woman's home
Detectives hunting the 'Night Watcher' have released images of three watches that were snatched in a violent £1.4million raid.
The armed robber split open a 63-year-old businesswoman's head by pistol-whipping her when she was alone at home in Sevenoaks, Kent.
She was bound with electrical cables during the terrifying two-hour raid and dragged upstairs where she was forced to open safes on June 21 last year.
The armed thief confronted the victim in the front garden of her home before grabbing her, and holding her at gunpoint.
Her £55,000 Bvlgari watch was ripped from her wrist in the raid as well as diamond-encrusted earrings, a sapphire pendant and watches.
Officers hope that by releasing the images they will be able to find out where the pieces were sold on to.
The watches police have released images of are the same make and model of those stolen.
They include: a Bvlgari Lvcea worth £55,084; an 18ct white gold Patek Philippe Gondolo Quartz wristwatch worth £68,661; and a Breguet Reine de Naples ladies watch valued at £40,043.
Detective Inspector Maxine Harris of Kent Police who is leading the investigation, said: 'The response to our appeals including the Crimewatch episode has been encouraging and our officers are continuing to actively explore information and names of interest provided from members of the public.
'Our investigation also includes finding out where the stolen jewellery and other possessions may have been sold onto.
'We really want people to look at these latest images which show some of the distinctive watches taken.
'One of these, a Bvlgari watch was snatched from the victim's wrist.'
The robbery was featured on Crimewatch Live last month where the terrified victim spoke about her ordeal.
With her face hidden and her voice altered, she said: 'It was a lovely sunny day. All of a sudden there was this armed robber pointing a gun at me.
'I was shocked. He grabbed my collar and told me to open the safes.'
She recounted how she went to the garage and opened the safe there before being dragged to the house.
Once she had opened the safe upstairs in the bedroom, the raider struck her with the weapon.
Some of the stolen jewellery taken in June last year from a property near Sevenoaks in Kent
The woman said: 'He split my forehead open with a gun. There was blood everywhere, in my eyes.
'He tied my hands and then my feet and then tied them together. The pain was excruciating.
'He then put a chair on my back and I lay there in sheer panic. I thought "oh my goodness, is he going to kill me?".'
An hour later her husband came home and was confronted with the scene which he said was like a 'horror movie'. He raised the alarm and she was taken to hospital.
The woman said of the robber: 'He has done this many times, I believe, and was pretty professional.
'I don't see the reason why he had to split my head open. Maybe that's a sadistic streak he's got in him. He's a complete coward.'
Speaking about the devastating impact of the attack, she said: 'You can't just forget about it. You think about it every day. You're wary of people. You suspect everybody now.'
A £10,000 Crimestoppers reward has been offered for information that leads to the conviction of the suspect.
