Video: Sentencing awaits final member of mini-cab robbery gang who struck in Queen’s Park
Clockwise from top left: Russell Aljaf, Kurrin Bendriss, Lamin Joof, and Sadiq Bendriss - Credit: Archant
The final member of a gang who used mini-cabs to travel around London and commit armed robberies including a hotel in Queen’s Park will be sentenced this afternoon.
Russell Aljaf from Westminster, changed his plea four days into his trial at Harrow Crown Court.
The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, burglary, possession of an imitation firearm, possession of an imitation firearm for the purposes of crime related to an offence in February 2013.
Aljaf teamed up with Lamin Joof, 21, of no fixed address, and brothers Sadiq and Kurrin Bendriss, 20 and 19 respectively, both from Maida Vale, to carry out a series of armed robberies on hotels, mini cab drivers and lone members of the public.
Harrow Crown Court heard the gang struck in Paddington, Golders Green, Kings Cross, the Igar Hotel in Salusbury Road, Queen’s Park, St John’s Wood, and Fulham.
The Bendriss brothers and Joof all both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and possession of an imitation firearm.
The siblings were sentenced to eight years in jail and Joof seven.
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A fifth man is also due to face trial in the New Year.
DC Rob McGee, the investigating officer from the Flying Squad, said: “I am really pleased that this gang is off London’s streets and no longer able to carry on committing these robberies. The level of violence and the disturbingly blatant way they carried out these crimes clearly demonstrated they had no regard for the law.
“Throughout this investigation we have received huge support from the victims and a number of witnesses who made the prosecution possible. I would like to thank them all for their help and bravery.
“The evidence was so overwhelming the gang all pleaded guilty.”
