Jo Jobson was sentenced to 15 years for his part in the robbery (credit: Essex Police)
Jo Jobson was convicted on Monday, 30 October, for his part in the violent robbery during the early hours of Saturday, 27 November 2021 and was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court today (Wedensday, 1 November) for 15 years.
During the incident, Mr Cavendish was seriously assaulted and violently threatened in front of his family. The intruders also stole a Louis Vuitton suitcase and two watches.
Two men, Ali Sesay and Romario Henry, have already been convicted 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 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 police were able to identify a number of contact numbers which appeared to be involved in the robbery, one of which was attributed to Jobson.
The 26-year-old was arrested in June at Chelmsford police station and questioned on suspicion of robbery and GBH.
Jobson was charged with two counts of robbery, both relating to the incident in November 2021. He denied all charges and a five-day trial was held at Chelmsford Crown Court.
He was found guilty of both counts and was today jailed for a total of 15 years.
Three men jailed for knifepoint robbery in Ongar (credit: Essex Police)
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.”
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 the 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.”
Wanted – George Goddard (credit: Essex Police)
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 is from Loughton but has connections across east London.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts, should contact police 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.
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