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The husband of a woman who was robbed by a man thought to be the violent burglar dubbed the Night Watcher says finding her tied up was like a ‘scene in a horror movie’.
Police are investigating a theft committed at a home on a private road in Sevenoaks, Kent, that saw a 63-year-old woman pistol-whipped and tied up before she was robbed of 50 jewels worth a combined £2million.
The horrifying attack took place just before 4pm on June 21 – and the thug responsible is thought to be behind a dozen other robberies, stealing £10million of valuables while avoiding the law for almost two decades.
Following the horrifying ordeal over a month ago, and following the release of new CCTV images of the suspect, the husband of the victim has spoken out for the first time about the experience.
He described the attack as ‘mindless’ and ‘violent…what you might expect to see in a horror movie’.
CCTV image of a suspect wanted by police in relation to stolen jewellery from a property in Sevenoaks, Kent. There are fears the Night Watcher has returned
Investigators believe the Night Watcher could be a former soldier using military training to carry out the attacks without being caught. Pictured is a suspect wanted in relation to the June 21 robbery
In remarks reported by the Daily Mirror, the man said: ‘Finding my wife with her hands and legs bound was truly shocking.
‘That image will stay with me for a very long time and the events of that day have undoubtedly changed our lives.’
Kent Police said at least 50 items were stolen, including diamond earrings, a sapphire pendant and expensive watches.
Last month, the force released new CCTV images of a man they want to identify, who travelled on a train between Staplehurst and Sevenoaks between 9.48am and 10.26am on June 21 before the robbery.
He then travelled between Hildenborough, Tonbridge and Marden between 5.37pm and 6.02pm, and was seen cycling in Staplehurst some 20 miles from Sevenoaks shortly after 6pm.
The man wore a face mask, a cream baseball cap and trainers with distinctive red soles – and sometimes wore a high-visibility top as he cycled.
Detectives fear this is the Night Watcher’s 18th attack since 2006, when he is believed to have carried out robberies in London and the Home Counties.
They have not ruled out a theory that he is a former soldier using his military training to carry out the attacks without being caught.
Police had not spoken about the Night Watcher since 2019 after fearing he had escaped abroad, before linking the fugitive to four more crimes earlier this year – three reportedly taking place in Kent and one in London.
One of the attacks is said to have taken place in the capital in 2021, leaving two women hospitalised after he inflicted injuries upon them.
The incident took place on the Keston Park estate in Bromley, South East London, according to the Mirror, while the other offences took place in the Tonbridge area in Kent, one occurring in 2020, one in 2021, and the third in 2022.
He is thought to spend weeks staking out his targets, noting every move of his victims and who will be home when, as well as where valuables are located.
The Night Watcher – thought to be a former member of the military – has carried out a series of robberies on expensive properties since 2006. Here is footage from another robbery he is linked with in Maidenhead in 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Richmond (pictured together in 2014 at the Goodwood Festival in Chichester) – then known as Lord and Lady March – are the most high-profile victims linked to the Night Watcher
Goodwood House (pictured) was broken into in January 2016. The horrifying incident saw the the Duke and Duchess of Richmond tied up as the thief stole a number of expensive items
Amongst the items stolen from Goodwood House was a ring King Charles II – an ancestor to the then Earl of March – gave to a favourite mistress
Another item stolen from Goodwood House in 2016 was an 1820 diamond tiara worth around £400,000
The most high-profile case was in January 2016 when he left the Duke and Duchess of Richmond tied up in their home as he robbed them.
The noise of the break-in had woken up the Duchess, who went to investigate, before the robber pushed her back against the bedroom door.
When the Duke tried to rescue her, the burglar hit him on the head with a ‘blunt instrument’, causing an injury to his ear.
The pair, left ‘devastated’ by the attack and theft’, were only released when a member of staff arrived for work the next day.
Amongst the precious items stolen was a ring King Charles II – an ancestor to the then Earl of March – gave to a favourite mistress and an 1820 diamond tiara worth around £400,000.
Several high-value watches, including a Rolex and Girard-Perregaux, were also taken, along with emerald, diamond and sapphire rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
Susan Morris, then 61, whom the Watcher attacked in November 2017, feared she would be raped or killed during is attack at her £3.5million Surrey home.
She sat at her computer when the robber broke in yelling ‘I want the jewellery, take me to the safe’.
Ms Morris was left with a broken jaw and lost a tooth as the Watcher beat her and bound her hands with plastic cables.
The victim said previously: ‘When he was hitting me with the gun pointing at me, at that moment I did think, ‘this is it, it’s all over’.’
Police previously said they thought the items had been stolen to be flogged overseas but none had surfaced.
Detective Inspector Maxine Harris, who is leading the investigation for Kent Police, said last month: ‘The man we want to locate would have stood out as he was wearing a mask, was in possession of a bicycle and appeared overdressed on what was a warm day.
‘I believe that despite his face being covered someone will know him and I am urging anyone who may have seen him or recognises him to call us immediately.
‘Whilst it is possible the man has strong connections to the Staplehurst area, we are not discounting that he may live outside of Kent. He should not be approached.’
