Two Men Jailed for Violent Moped Crimes Across Six Boroughs Including H&F
Alexander and Hussain 'made a sport' of hunting down vulnerable people
Mikelle Alexander, 21 pictured right, of Brighton Road, Sutton was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for 22 offences, including robbery, attempted robbery, theft and theft of a motor vehicle.
Karim Hussain, 20, left, of Rose Glen, Romford was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for 11 offences of robbery, theft from a motor vehicle and fraud by false representation.
The men were sentened at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 3 August having been found guilty on 29 June at the same court following a 19-day trial.
The crimes occurred between September and December 2017 in Croydon, Lambeth, Kingston, Sutton, Merton, and Hammersmith and Fulham. Hussain and Alexander carried them out both together and separately using stolen mopeds.
Elderly Asian victims were often targeted for their gold jewellery.
In one particularly violent attack on 19 November, Alexander robbed and stabbed a man in his fiftie in Mitcham, Merton.
Alexander approached the victim on a moped and attempted to grab his bag, which actually contained only a bible. The victim was able to hang onto his property but Alexander rode off a short distance before turning around and driving straight back at him, knocking him to the ground.
Alexander then subjected the victim to a brutal attack, punching and kicking him before stabbing him with a knife.
The bag containing the bible was eventually stolen.
Police say the victim has since recovered from his injuries.
Other offences committed by Hussain and Alexander together occurred on 10 November on Kingswood Road, Bromley; St John’s Road, Croydon and Dennett Road, Croydon where three separate, lone women were pulled to the ground, sustaining fractures and internal injuries whilst their belongings were stolen.
Detectives from the Met’s Operation Venice Investigation Team, which tackles scooter-enabled crime, launched an investigation.
Following the robbery of a woman on 28 September in Lansdowne Road, Croydon, Hussain’s ring was recovered from the scene after the victim grabbed hold of it. It was forensically tested and DNA from the item matched Hussain.
Hussain was arrested on 9 December and charged. Alexander was arrested on 11 December then released under investigation.
Officers continued to piece together mobile telephone evidence, CCTV footage and witness accounts linking both Hussain and Alexander to the crimes.
Alexander was subsequently re-arrested on 31 January and charged. Hussain was further charged with additional offences.
Detective Inspector Steve Brownlee, from the Met’s Operation Venice Investigation Team, said: "This was a protracted and robust investigation which has seen two more prolific offenders convicted of a series of violent crimes. I would like to thank the members of the public who came forward.
"I hope these lengthy sentences offer some measure of comfort for the victims involved and act as a warning to others that if you commit these offences you will be identified and arrested."
Barrister Nicholas Cooper, prosecuting on behalf of the Crown, said: "These offenders attacked vulnerable people - often women – and left their victims afraid to be in the neighbourhoods they had lived in for years. They hunted people down and made a sport of it.
"This dedicated police work excelled and the jury’s findings of guilt reflect that. All these officers worked tirelessly and the resulting convictions are thanks to that invaluable commitment."
August 6, 2018