Six men have been jailed for a total of over 24 years after they were convicted of a series of knifepoint robberies in south west London.

The men, who used a stolen BMW on false plates to carry out their crimes, targeted victims in broad daylight, threatening them with large knives or machetes before stealing their watches and bags.

The robberies took place in December 2021 and January 2022, and the victims included a couple who were walking down the street, a man who was walking down the road, and two men who were sitting at a pub table.

In one of the robberies, the victim was hit in the face, causing multiple fractures.

The men were arrested following a police pursuit, and evidence found in the car linked them to the crimes.

They were sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, 13 February as follows:

Michael Malik Ahmed 29: of Little Dimocks, Balham, was sentenced to six years and nine months after pleading guilty to six counts of robbery – four on 21 December 2021 and two on 9 January 2022. Plus found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon used in the attacks, as well as dangerous driving.
Kaijuan Henry 19: of Woodward Road, Dagenham sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for being involved in the December robberies.
Jessy Ouma 18: of Patmore Estate, Wandsworth sentenced to four years for being involved in the robberies on 9 January.
Zakariah Yusuf 19: two years and six months imprisonment
Joseph Opoku 19: three years imprisonment
Roshan Clark 16: three years and nine months imprisonment
all of the Winstanley Estate

The robberies took place on:

South Parade, SW3. At around 11.15am on 21st December 2021, a couple were walking down the road when a car driven by Ahmed, came to a halt and Clark and Henry jumped out armed with a crow bar and large serrated knife. They surrounded the man, grabbing his wrist and forcing him to hand over his Tag Heuer watch, worth around £1,500.
Cornford Grove, SW12. At around 12noon on 21st December 2021 a man walking down the road was chased by Clark and Henry, armed with a long zombie style knife. He was cornered in a doorway and punched in the face, causing part of his tooth to fall out, before his bag was stolen from him.
Walton Street, SW3. At 6pm on 21 December 2021 two men were sitting at a pub table when a vehicle screeched to a halt in front of them. Clark and Henry, armed with a knife and machete, got out of the car and shouted at them to handover their watches, worth around £35,000 each.
Draycott Avenue, SW3. At 3.20pm on 9th January 2022, a couple who were walking towards their car when a vehicle, driven by Ahmed, suddenly stopped. Ouma, Yusuf and Opoku jumped out, armed with a large machete. The female victim had her £6,000 Rolex watch and Bulgari ring stolen. The male victim was punched in the face, causing multiple fractures. His Tag Heuer watch, valued at around £1,150 was also stolen.

Detective Inspector Ben Cooper, who led the investigation, said: “These men carried out a series of terrifying robberies, targeting innocent people in broad daylight.

“They used violence and intimidation to steal their victims’ belongings, and I am pleased that they have now been brought to justice.

“I hope this case sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this type of crime in London, and that those who commit these offences will be brought to justice.”

Detective Sergeant Gary Taylor, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “The custodial sentences handed down today will ultimately make London a safer place for everyone as these men will now serve time behind bars for their actions.

“These young men terrified both their victims and the witnesses who saw them carrying out these appalling crimes in broad daylight. Each defendant had absolutely no regard for the victims and did not consider the lasting impact their robberies would have on them for week and months to come. I commend all the victims for their bravery in coming forward and confronting their attackers in court.

“This case also shows the importance of reporting a robbery as soon as it happens. I am urging anyone who may sadly be the victim of a similar incident, or anyone who sees a robbery taking place, to call the police by dialling 999 immediately. This makes a significant impact on our ability to catch those responsible and prevent them from causing any further harm.

“Officers from the Flying Squad will continue working tirelessly with colleagues across the whole of the Met and deploy all capabilities available to investigate violent robberies, and bring those responsible to justice. We are committed to safeguarding London’s communities and those visiting our fantastic city.”

In a statement read to the court during sentencing, one of the victims said: “I was outraged that a senseless act of completely unnecessary and unprovoked physical and emotional violence was perpetrated on my husband, and myself, in the heart of London, in the middle of the afternoon, on a street with several families and their kids.

“While I was not injured, I was both shocked and terrified during the brief period of the ordeal.

“Since then I have been continually worrying about the need to appear in court and ‘confront’ the assailants again.”

None of the stolen property has ever been recovered.

The Met Police is urging anyone who has been the victim of a robbery to come forward and report it. You can do so by calling 101 or visiting the Met Police website.