A violent robber from Wembley has been jailed thanks to the heroic actions of a 10-year-old boy.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Jailed: L-R, Devlin Williams, 33, of Hirst Crescent, Wembley, and Eugene Williams, 36, of Station Road, Forest Gate.Jailed: L-R, Devlin Williams, 33, of Hirst Crescent, Wembley, and Eugene Williams, 36, of Station Road, Forest Gate. (Image: Archant)

Brothers Devlin Williams, 33, of Hirst Crescent and Eugene Williams, 36, of East London, were imprisoned for a total of 14 years and eight months on May 2 for a spate of robberies.

Amongst the violent incidents committed by the pair, was the robbery of a Tania Levenfiche, 48, outside her home in Wildwood Avenue, witnessed by her son Didier.

She had just arrived home when the Williams brothers grabbed her round the neck and snatched her jewellery.

Didier memorised their faces and activated the house alarm. His actions led to police identifying the brothers and Didier was later named Westminster police’s hero of 2016.

Devlin Williams pleaded guilty to one count of robbery on June 13 2016 and two separate offences of robbery committed on August 4 and 7. He was sentenced to six years and eight months’ imprisonment. His licence was also extended for three years.

Eugene Williams pleaded guilty on December 8 to robbing four women between 19 November 19 2015 and June 13 2016 as well as possession of criminal property. He was jailed for eight years. His licence was also extended for three years.

Another man, Hatim Nahal, 31 (20.09.85) of Kingshill Drive, Harrow, Devlin Williams accomplice in the robbery on August 7 pleaded guilty to that offence on 27 March 2017. He will be sentenced later today.

Mrs Levenfiche expressed disappointment and shock at the ‘lenient’ sentences.

While praising Westminster police for their ‘hard work and sheer determination’ in catching the pair, she said: “But now I am shocked and extremely disappointed at the lenient sentence.

“These are two very violent offenders. I never expected them be caught and it is thanks to the hard work of the police that they were and they should be behind bars for longer.

“My son has since had continuous nightmares about the attack and is so scared to get in and out of the car in our driveway at any time of the day or night.

“He has not slept a whole night since the incident and also is very disturbed by the fact that the attackers kicked our dog over and over as she tried to jump up at them to help me. Please remember that he watched this whole incident and the face of the attacker staring at him.”

Detective Constable Martin Thomas, the investigating officer from Westminster’s Crime Squad, said: “Eugene and Devlin Williams are dangerous criminals who targeted innocent people across London.

“Thanks to Didier’s attention to detail, both men were arrested in August 2016 and successfully picked out at an ID parade. Didier’s brave actions directly led to them being brought to justice and we are very proud to have named him as our hero of the year.”

He added: “The level of violence used against these victims was gratuitous and has left them traumatised. Westminster Crime Squad have worked tirelessly to convict these robbers who used the proceeds of their crime to fund their lifestyle. London is much safer with these violent men bought to justice and behind bars.”