With his dashing good looks and tales of a music career on the brink of take-off, Chris Holding appeared quite a catch. The two crimes which led to his capture took place in May in Camden Lock, North London. Holding posed as an American musician on the cusp of a deal or a high-flying New York Times journalist. The former Catholic school pupil pocketed cash, jewellery and valuables worth nearly £8,300. Watching her tap in her PIN as she bought drinks, he pinched the card and withdrew £240. At Blackfriars Crown Court, prosecutor Mark James-Dawson said Holding used his ‘sexual wiles’ in two ruses. But, in reality, he was a barely literate chef from Preston who used his takings to fuel a hedonistic lifestyle of drink and drugs. The conman met Sara McCluskey, 27, outside a restaurant and flirted by text message. Police know he struck up relationships with at least nine women. He branded Holding guilty of a ‘breach of trust of the highest level’ and said his sentence was longer than guidelines suggest ‘because of the harm you have inflicted on so many’. In the first, Holding entered into a prolonged sexual relationship with his victims, gulling them into trusting him,’ he said. The theatre company director, 35, once accused him of stealing goods worth £1,470 from her flat in Hampstead, North London. He then abused their trust, stealing money and jewellery, including heirloom pieces of incalculable sentimental value. But they fear dozens more may have fallen victim as he invented a string of bogus names, careers and accents. One victim, Kelly Williams, is seven months pregnant with his child but has refused to help police. But she wept as he was jailed for 45 months by Judge Daniel Worsley. Using his ‘sexual wiles’, the 24-year-old charmed his way into the hearts and homes of successful women he met at trendy London nightspots. His lies finally unravelled after four years when a detective investigating a theft in May spotted a similar case from a fortnight earlier. But he was a philanderer and a conman who betrayed their trust to steal cash and irreplaceable family heirlooms.
He went on to steal another £773 and a £500 gold ring.
Later that month, Holding seduced Ana Calvo. Four counts were left on file. Holding, of Gravesend, Kent, who claims to have a six-year-old son in Australia, has convictions for shoplifting and theft. In June this year, Mairi Campbell met Holding at a Covent Garden nightclub and invited him home. He admitted 13 counts of theft. An earlier victim, Victoria Barrett, 34, was chatted up in a Soho bar in June 2009. Holding moved into her flat in West London, and when she went on holiday, he stole seven gold rings worth £1,500. She kicked him out but he went on to steal £260 from her bank account. She refused to believe it was him until the following March when she returned home and found a £1,000 bracelet and Armani watch were missing. Holding then vanished. In June 2010, Holding posed as a journalist from California about to relocate to London when he met Anoeshka Smit, 25, while waiting for a flight at Stansted Airport. He went on to steal another £773 and a £500 gold ring. He moved in with her in Lewisham, South East London, but weeks later, she realised her grandmother’s wedding ring had gone. Holding siphoned £600 from her account but she refused to believe he was to blame and ordered a new card, with the same PIN. After she let him stay in her home when she went to work, he stole a laptop, camera, phone, and cash.
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If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand.
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. So she decided to make her own. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver (www.backtoglamour.com/blog/2025/01/03/charm-bracelets-charm-bracelets-will-never-go-out-of-fashion/). Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones.
It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature.