Kim Kardashian 'grandpa robber', 69, dies a month after his conviction

Daily Mail​

13 hours ago

's 'grandpa robber' has died a month after he was convicted of stealing jewellery worth $10million from the reality television star.
Didier Dubreucq, 69, was diagnosed with lung cancer during pre-trial detention and had been undergoing chemotherapy.
He was among ten suspects to be tried earlier this year for stealing jewels from the star, including a huge diamond ring from her now ex-husband, rapper Kanye West.
Dubreucq, who police nicknamed 'Blue Eyes' due to his piercing gaze, was accused of being the second person who stormed into Kim's hotel room on October 2, 2016, but he denied the charges.
A Paris court last month sentenced him to seven years in jail, including five suspended, for the robbery.
He was absent for the ruling as he was undergoing chemotherapy, and did not return to jail as he had already served his two years in pre-trial detention.
In April, he had however turned up in court after a chemotherapy session to say he had 'nothing to do' with the theft.
He said he did not like to be labelled an 'armed robber' despite having served a 23-year sentence for past armed robberies.
He rejection suggestions that he is a 'thug' and said: 'I'm a good guy.'
Since becoming a father at the age of 50, Dubreucq added that he had put an end to his 'big mistakes' of the past.
None of the eight people convicted last month returned to jail, including 69-year-old ringleader Aomar Ait Khedache, because of the time they had spent behind bars while awaiting trial.
A few hours after the verdict, Dubreucq addressed the court in a letter read by his lawyer.
He wrote: 'I never participated in this jewelry theft. You don't condemn a man on the altar of suspicion and doubt.'
Dubreucq even addressed a few words Kim, who was held captive and gagged during the robbery, as well as to Abderrahmane Ouatiki, a receptionist at the hotel where the star was staying at the time of the events.
He said: 'The ordeal they endured deeply disturbed them, and I felt the trauma they are experiencing today in their voices. It did not leave me indifferent. I dare to hope that in time they will find the path to healing.'
The audacious early hours raid in October 2016 took place at the height of Paris Fashion Week, and at the height of the socialite's fame.
Kim was alone in the penthouse apartment of her hotel, dozing on the bed in a silk nightgown, when two men disguised as policemen burst into the room and held a gun to her head.
The celebrity was bound and gagged, 'like a sausage' and dumped in the bath of her ensuite bathroom while robbers spent 49 minutes snatching millions of pounds worth of gems and watches including her 18.88 carat diamond engagement ring.
As they fled, one robber dropped a platinum cross adorned with diamonds that was recovered the following morning.
A visibly traumatised Kim fled the country by private jet after giving a brief statement to French detectives and was consoled by then husband Kanye who halted a concert, telling fans he had a 'family emergency'.
In the intervening years, the mother told how she feared for her life and cried: 'Don't kill me, I have babies!'
Kim has been denied justice for years, with delays on bringing the case to court blamed on the priority of high-profile terrorist trials.
There were also fears that the publicity of this trial would destroy Paris' reputation as a high-class tourist destination ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.
But last month the reality TV star re-lived her terrifying ordeal that occurred almost nine years ago when she gave evidence in the trial.
A career criminal known as 'Old Omar' was accused of masterminding the heist that was France's highest value robbery in a decade.
Omar's 79-year-old mistress Christiane 'Cathy' Glotin was also said to be involved.
Old Omar denied being the mastermind of the heist. He instead said another man, who he refused to name, presented the opportunity to him.
He claimed this man presented detailed plans, including layouts of the hotel building and pictures of Kim wearing the prized jewellery.