Jail for teenage trio behind gunpoint brothel robberies in Brent

The imitation firearm the gang used (Image: Archant)

Melchezidec Williams, 19, Faisal Masood, 18, and 17-year-old Kyan Bhola, all from Shepherd’s Bush, pocketed thousand of pounds by targeting 13 bordellos between March and June last year.

Harrow Crown Court heard the trio would use the internet to identify a brothel before posing as a client to arrange an appointment.

Once they gained entry their victims would be threatened with violence with some having an imitation gun held to their head or a knife to their throat.

They struck twice in Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, twice in Northwick Avenue, and once in Preston Hill, both in Wembley.

Williams flashing his stolen cash (Image: Archant)

They also targeted brothels in Barnet, Harrow, Hounslow, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.

The gang were eventually indentified by detectives from Brent Police who raided two addresses in Shepherd’s Bush on June 27 last year, arresting and bailing 16 people.

A search of both addresses uncovered 400 items including an imitation gun, stolen property belong to the victims and a photo of Williams posing with a wad of cash.

Williams and Masood were charged in July and Bhola last October.

All three denied conspiring to commit robbery and possession of an imitation firearm but were convicted last December.

Today, Williams and Massod were sentenced to 12 years in jail, Bhola was given eight.

Detective Sergeant Tony Bellis from Brent Police, said: “This was a highly complex and protracted investigation. These offences were committed during hours of darkness with the use of weapons and disguises and were a harrowing and terrifying ordeal for all those targeted.

“The sentences reflect the seriousness of the crimes and I hope they will act as a deterrent to anybody else who is considering committing such crime.”