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| Andy Carroll robbery: Man jailed for targeting West Ham striker | Andy Carroll robbery: Man jailed for targeting West Ham striker |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A man has been jailed for trying to rob footballer Andy Carroll of his £22,000 wristwatch as the striker drove home from West Ham's training ground. | A man has been jailed for trying to rob footballer Andy Carroll of his £22,000 wristwatch as the striker drove home from West Ham's training ground. |
| Jack O'Brien, 22, claimed he was not the rider who targeted the 28-year-old as he waited at traffic lights in north-east London, on 2 November 2016. | Jack O'Brien, 22, claimed he was not the rider who targeted the 28-year-old as he waited at traffic lights in north-east London, on 2 November 2016. |
| Mr Carroll told Basildon Crown Court he believed O'Brien had a gun when he stopped beside him on a motorbike. | Mr Carroll told Basildon Crown Court he believed O'Brien had a gun when he stopped beside him on a motorbike. |
| O'Brien, of Navarre Gardens, Romford, was sentenced to six years. | O'Brien, of Navarre Gardens, Romford, was sentenced to six years. |
| He was jailed for another five years and three months, to run concurrently, after admitting other robberies between October and November last year, in which cash and jewellery were taken. | He was jailed for another five years and three months, to run concurrently, after admitting other robberies between October and November last year, in which cash and jewellery were taken. |
| O'Brien was found by police hiding beneath a mattress in a property in Dagenham 10 days after the attempt. | O'Brien was found by police hiding beneath a mattress in a property in Dagenham 10 days after the attempt. |
| 'Feared for life' | |
| The footballer told jurors he was scared when the motorcycle rider pulled up beside him, said "nice watch" then demanded he give it to him. | |
| Mr Carroll did a U-turn, but was forced to drive on the wrong side of the road as he was pursued back to West Ham's training ground where there were security staff. | Mr Carroll did a U-turn, but was forced to drive on the wrong side of the road as he was pursued back to West Ham's training ground where there were security staff. |
| In a 999 call played in court he was heard telling responders: "There's two motorbikes, one's behind me pulling out a gun, I don't know what to do." | In a 999 call played in court he was heard telling responders: "There's two motorbikes, one's behind me pulling out a gun, I don't know what to do." |
| He also said he had "probably just hit about 10 cars" during his getaway. | He also said he had "probably just hit about 10 cars" during his getaway. |
| In a victim impact statement Mr Carroll said he had "feared for his life" and now travels to and from training with security guards. | |
| 'Great courage' | |
| Police seized a motorcycle helmet, Ducati jacket and a Suzuki motorbike which they believed were used by O'Brien during the attempted robbery. | Police seized a motorcycle helmet, Ducati jacket and a Suzuki motorbike which they believed were used by O'Brien during the attempted robbery. |
| DNA matching the 22-year-old's was found on the helmet and jacket, but O'Brien said that while he had used the equipment for other robberies, somebody else was wearing them when Mr Carroll was targeted. | DNA matching the 22-year-old's was found on the helmet and jacket, but O'Brien said that while he had used the equipment for other robberies, somebody else was wearing them when Mr Carroll was targeted. |
| No firearm was found by police. The second motorbike rider has not been located. | No firearm was found by police. The second motorbike rider has not been located. |
| Det Sgt Brett Hagen said CCTV footage of the pursuit "shows the persistent and reckless lengths this man went to in order to try to steal a high-value watch". | |
| "I would like to thank the victim who showed great courage and calmness throughout this terrifying robbery attempt," he said. |