Four jailed after violent robbery in N16
08 October 2012
Four men who subjected a young woman to a terrifying knifepoint robbery in her own home have been sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court following an investigation by Hackney police.
The four teenagers were sentenced to a total of 33 years, to serve in a young offenders institute, after being found guilty at the same court on 30 August.
"This was an extremely violent offence committed by four men."
They are;
Ashley Allen, 19 (12.12.92), of the Woodberry Down Estate, N4, was sentenced to nine years.
Janny Mosy, 19 (21.11.92) also of the Woodberry Down Estate, N4, was sentenced to nine years.
Daniel Watson, 18 (10.10.93) of Effingham Road, N8, was sentenced to nine years.
Devante Stephen, (31.5.95) who is 17 years and is now named after the judge lifted reporting restrictions, is from the N4 area and received six years.
The court heard how the group of teenagers arrived at the flat in Green Lanes, N16, at about 01:00hrs on 8 December 2011, and when the 22-year-old occupant opened the door, they forced their way in.
Once inside, they produced knives and an imitation firearm and threatened the victim, demanding that she hand over cash. They also threatened to put a plastic bag over her head. She was slapped across
the face whilst the males rifled through her flat, stealing numerous items of her personal property. One of them hit her over the head with what appeared to be a gun, causing a cut to the top of her head.
The incident lasted about an hour, after which the men left, stealing cash, electrical items and her passport.
A short while later, police stopped the four men in a vehicle that smelt of cannabis. They were searched and found in possession of knives, balaclavas and a quantity of cannabis. Items belonging to the victim,
including her passport, were recovered from the boot of the car. This prompted officers to attend the victim's home address in order to check on her welfare.
Following their arrest all four members of the gang pleaded not guilty. Sentencing took place on Friday, 5 October.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Alex McCullough, of Hackney's Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit, said: "This was an extremely violent offence committed by four men who used threats and the fear of violence to terrify and rob a young woman in her own home. I hope the victim can draw some form of closure from the sentence and feel safe that the perpetrators are now in prison."