Moped mugger who stabbed man to death for his Rolex jailed for life

Minimum term of 35 years comes a year after father-of-one's murder

A murderer who stabbed a father to death while trying to steal his Rolex watch has been jailed for a minimum of 35 years.

Jordan Bailey-Mascoll killed Danny Pearce in a "truly horrendous" and frenzied assault described by a veteran detective as the "most sustained random stabbing attack I've seen in my 26 years in the police".

Some witnesses feared it was a terrorist attack due to its savagery, Detective Inspector Jo Sidaway said.

Bailey-Mascoll was found guilty in June following a three-week Old Bailey trial and on Thursday was sentenced to life behind bars at the same court.

Jordan Bailey-Mascoll, 25, who was convicted of murdering Danny Pearce in Greenwich (Metropolitan Police)

Prosecutors said the 26-year-old, riding a moped, had gone out on 15 July last year "looking for people to rob".

"He embarked on a spate of armed robberies, and when Danny Pearce refused to hand over his belongings, he was threatened and attacked with a gun and a knife, culminating in his death," said Suzanne Alavi of the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Bailey-Mascoll was today sentenced to a minimum of 35 years and he will now spend a significant amount of time in prison where he will no longer be a threat to the public. I hope this sentence and conviction provides some level of comfort to the family and friends of Mr Pearce.”

His attack was committed with the help of an accomplice. It took place in Greenwich, southeast London, after 31-year-old Mr Pearce and his girlfriend left a jazz club in Nevada Street after midnight.

Det Insp Sidaway added: "Although one man has been convicted, we are still keen to trace the stolen watch. The model was a Silver Rolex Datejust 2 2017, worth around £5,000."

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "The pair demanded Danny’s Rolex watch and when he refused he was chased, stabbed repeatedly and shot at by the robbers, with the whole attack witnessed by his terrified friends and partner.

"Danny, who has a five-year-old daughter, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards despite efforts of paramedics and police to save him."

Bailey-Mascoll was arrested on 30 November last year and charged the following day.

A 21-year-old man was also arrested in connection with Mr Pearce's murder and remains under investigation after being released.

Danny Pearce, 31, a father of one, was murdered for his Rolex wristwatch in London (Metropolitan Police)

Jan Pearce, the victim's mother, said in a statement: "Danny was randomly murdered in Greenwich.

"He left behind a family who loved him unconditionally, including two sisters and a brother. But it is not only us as adults suffering - Danny's nieces and nephews are grieving and it hurts them in different ways. How do you answer a child when they ask where Uncle Danny is?

"We need to get these murderers off the street - who knows who will be next and then another family will go through the same devastation as us.

"I don't want another mum to go through this agony. I need to know those responsible will be locked up for a very long time."