A Lewisham man who robbed a pregnant woman and her husband in east London has been jailed.

Fred Odum-Jones, 38, of Laleham Road, was sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to robbery, assault by beating, and dangerous driving.

Officers are appealing for information to trace a second man and have issued three images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

The man is described as black, believed to be aged in his 30s of stocky build and wearing a white t shirt, black jogging bottoms, white trainers, and a black hat.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 7655/20Jul22.

On the evening of Wednesday, July 20, the victims – a husband and wife – were returning home after enjoying a meal in central London.

A man, aged in his 20s, was carrying a bag containing cash and jewellery.

As the couple entered their block of flats in Tower Hamlets, two suspects followed them into a communal area where they repeatedly punched the man and stole his bag.

The woman, who was six months pregnant at the time, tried to defend her husband but the suspects pushed her away.

After kicking the male victim as he lay on the floor, the suspects ran from the scene.

The victim was able to get up and chased the suspects to a vehicle, attempting to take back his bag by reaching into the car.

But the suspects started to drive away, dragging the victim along until he let go.

Both victims were taken to hospital – the woman was uninjured, but the man suffered cuts to his face and body.

An investigation was launched by officers who identified Odum-Jones following detailed CCTV inquiries.

He was arrested three days later (July 23) at his home address and later charged.

DC Tom Lynch-Lawton, Central East CID, said: “This was an absolutely terrifying experience for the victims on their own doorstep.

"Odum-Jones and his associate showed no regard for the safety of the victims - in particular a visibly pregnant woman - in their determination to get their hands on cash and jewellery which did not belong to them.

"The extent of their callousness was revealed when, already in possession of the victim’s bag, they continued to assault him while he lay prone on the floor.

"The streets of London are a safer place with Odum-Jones behind bars.

We continue to carry out inquiries to trace the second suspect.”