Callous thugs jailed after robbing family of their Christmas presents at gun point

TWO armed robbers who broke into a family’s home and tried to steal their presents in a callous night time raid on Christmas day have been jailed for a total of 13 years.

Harrow Crown Court heard how Audi Mazoera Johnson, of Emerald Road, Stonebridge, and Andre Rose, of Hilltop Avenue, Stonebridge, both 20, were part of a masked gang who forced their way into a home wielding a handgun and a knife last year.

Disguised in bandanas, the gang threatened the family while collecting up their Christmas presents at their house in Milton Avenue, Stonebridge.

But one brave family member was able to break away and dial 999.

Brent Police Constable Allan Gray was on patrol nearby and rushed to the scene, where he spotted Johnson trying to flee from the house.

PC Gray tackled him to the ground but Johnson fought back, punching and kicking him in the face.

Despite the onslaught, brave PC Gray managed to keep hold of Johnson until back up arrived.

Meanwhile inside the house another determined family member managed to fight back against the thugs, and threw a glass ashtray at Rose.

Rose was waiting to see a doctor a few hours later when police tracked him down and arrested him.

Johnson was found guilty of aggravated burglary and assault on a police officer at trial in September, and was sentenced to eight years in a young offenders institute.

Rose, who pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at an earlier hearing, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison, minus the 294 days he spent in remand.

At the conclusion of the trial, His Honour Judge Holt commended PC Allan Gray for his bravery in tackling and detaining Johnson, knowing that the suspects were carrying a gun.

Detective Superintendent Steve Kershaw of Brent CID said: “This is a grave crime, made more so by the fact that Johnson and Rose decided to break into a home just as the family were settling down for Christmas, a religious and family holiday.

“Police have been determined throughout to prosecute this case and I am pleased that, thanks to the bravery of the family who gave evidence and the actions of police, a number of the suspects who were involved now been convicted.”

The officer in the case, Trainee Detective Constable Sarah Gottschalk said: “I would like to thank the family for their unwavering determination to give evidence at court against Johnson, securing a conviction against him. They were determined to see justice done.”