Reece Dunford was the ringleader of a violent gang who used axes and sledgehammers to crack open display cabinets and make off with watches, gems, handbags and shoes

The nephew of TV star Linda Robson has been jailed over a string of smash and grab raids on luxury stores.

Reece Dunford was the ringleader of a violent gang who used axes and sledgehammers to crack open display cabinets and make off with watches, gems, handbags and shoes.

In one raid, the mob dressed in burkas to attack Selfridges jewellery department in Central London.

Birds of a Feather actress Linda wrote a character reference for Dunford, 31, who admitted 10 raids.

In one, the gang fled with £300,000 of Rolex watches from a store in the City of London after threatening terrified staff with sledgehammers.

TV star Linda Robson: His aunt wrote a character reference from Reece Dunford ( 
Image:
WENN)
Dunford’s model ­girlfriend Hollie Dowding, 25, sold on stolen designer gear including Prada ­handbags and Jimmy Choo shoes.

Judge Elaine Coello told Dunford: “You are the link between the defendants. For all intents and purposes this was Dunford and Co, although this ­business was deeply criminal.”

Dunford, of Waltham Abbey, Essex – and said to suffer depression – was jailed for 12 years.

Girlfriend: Hollie Dowding sold on designer shoes and handbags ( 
Image:
CENTRAL NEWS)
Hatton Garden jeweller Yair Cohen, 71, also flogged gems passed on to him by the crook.

Yair Cohen: Hatton Garden jeweller, who sold on gems for Dunford ( 
Image:
CENTRAL NEWS)