Violent trio who pretended to be cops behind bars for total of 35 years after attack on young mum and theft of her puppy

A gang of three men who tied up their victim during a violent burglary have been jailed for a total of 35 years. 

Two of the men were from South London – Simon Ludlow, 50, of London Road, Mitcham, who was sentenced to 12 years’ in jail, and Michael Cook, 54, of Northborough Road, Norbury, who was handed a 10-year term. 

A third man, Michael Cloherty, 58, of Chipperfield Road, Orpington, Kent, was sentenced to 13 years. 

All three were jailed for aggravated burglary following a seven-day trial at Kingston Crown Court.

The burglary happened on the morning of November 29 last year, when the victim, a woman aged in her 30s, was approached by who she thought were two men, as she was leaving her flat in Arabella Drive, Putney with her three young children. 

The men were wearing caps with the word ‘Police’ on the front while carrying friction-lock batons. One of the men also produced a fake identification badge. They had claimed to be at the address in order to conduct a drug search. 

When the men were challenged by the victim, she was grabbed around the throat and forced back inside her home.  

They proceeded to attack her by stamping and punching her on the floor, before tying her hands with cable-ties.  

They subsequently searched the address, stealing various items including cash, Christmas gifts and a two-month-old female American extra-large bulldog puppy, described as ‘blue Merle’. 

The police investigation and CCTV footage established not two but three men leaving Ludlow’s address an hour before the burglary took place. 

Meetings between these three were established through call data records and further footage.

It was discovered that one of these meetings took place a few days before the incident, in what was believed to have been either an aborted first attempt to commit the burglary or a reconnaissance trip.

Detective Inspector Andy Durham, from The Met, said: “These three pretended to be police officers to gain entry, before using extreme violence to rob a mother in her family home.

“They caused her injuries before stealing her children’s presents and their very young beloved puppy.”

Detective Inspector Dan Whitten added: “This offence involved extensive planning, violence and a disregard for the impact on the vulnerable children present. The offenders clearly posed a wider risk to the public. 

“I’d like to commend the victim for displaying fortitude despite what must have been a terrifying ordeal.” 

Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the stolen puppy, which remains missing. 

Anyone who recognises the dog in the image or anyone who may have been offered an American Bulldog puppy for sale, should contact police.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 1837/29NOV21. 

Pictured top: The gang members jailed for violent robbery. Left to right: Simon Ludlow, Michael Cloherty and Michael Cook (Pictures: The Met)