Harlesden schoolboy sentenced for spate of Blackberry robberies in Willesden
Teenager stole phones to order from vulnerable women
A Harlesden schoolboy who robbed four females of their Blackberry mobiles at knifepoint has been sentenced to two years detention.
Harrow Crown Court heard the 14-year-old, who can not be named for legal reasons, stole the phones to order in premeditated attacks where the victims were targeted because of their vulnerability.
His first victim, a 13-year-old schoolgirl was violently robbed on Yewfield Road on June 28 this year.
He struck a second time in Cobbold Road on September 3 and three days later third woman was attacked in Franklyn Road.
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The final victim was targeted as she walked in Chapter Road on September 7.
He was snared the following day after police carried out an undercover operation where officers kept the area where he preyed under surveillance.
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The youth was spotted by detectives in Chapter Road and kept under observation, during which time he followed a potential victim as she made her way to Dollis Hill tube station.
When police tried to arrest him he ran away and during the chase he threw away a kitchen knife before he was caught in Burnley Road.
The court heard all his victims were left traumatised and the attacks had a ‘significant and lasting’ impact on them.
On Monday he was convicted of four counts of robbery and sentenced to 24 months detention and training for the robberies and a year detention for possessing a knife on each occasion.
He will serve his sentences concurrently.
PC Paul Connelly from Brent Police said: “These were violent robberies that terrified the lone female victims.
“This cowardly attacker was prepared to use a knife in order to support his criminal lifestyle. He gave no regard to the effect his actions had on the victims.
“I wish to thank the victims and witnesses who came forward during this investigation for their bravery in supplying evidence to bring their attacker to justice”.
