LONDON, Sept 23, 2009 (AFP) - A serial mugger was jailed for life on Wednesday 23 September for a long string of robberies including that of fashion designer Nicole Farhi outside her London home.

Daniel Mykoo, described as "ruthless, predatory and vicious," was ordered to spend at least 14 years behind bars. He showed no emotion as he was jailed for 84 robberies, fueled by an addiction to crack cocaine.

Judge Nicholas Browne told the 29-year-old: "You are the most prolific violent robber to be sentenced in London in recent years."

His brother Matthew, 27, was jailed for at least nine years after being convicted on nine counts of robbery.

Speaking to both brothers, the judge said: "You have committed strangulation robberies which are in a league of their own. Your offending pattern was ruthless, predatory and vicious.

"That you were both high on crack cocaine is no excuse. It is by sheer good fortune that you did not kill, permanently injure or maim any one of your many victims."

Farhi was attacked in April last year when she answered the door of the home in upmarket Hampstead, northwest London, which she shares with her playwright husband David Hare.

The French designer was strangled until she blacked out and her Rolex watch, ring and money were taken.