Jail term for brutal attack
by Nadia Sam-Daliri A brutal teenager who beat and robbed a fellow school pupil has been told he faces a jail sentence. Rene Tijani, 18, grabbed his 16-year-old victim on the Clitterhouse Estate, in Cricklewood last November as he walked
by Nadia Sam-Daliri
A brutal teenager who beat and robbed a fellow school pupil has been told he faces a jail sentence.
Rene Tijani, 18, grabbed his 16-year-old victim on the Clitterhouse Estate, in Cricklewood last November as he walked home from school before his gang kicked him as he lay on the ground, the Old Bailey heard.
Tijani, who now lives in Reading, was arrested a fortnight later and admitted the attack but said he was forced to do it by the rest of the gang.
He denied the charge of robbery.
Judge Timothy Pontius said: "Plainly any street robbery is a serious matter. You should be realistic about the likely sentence."
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Tijani has been released on bail until his sentencing on May 6 but Judge Pontius added that his release 'should not serve as an indication as to the likely sentence'.
Prosecutor Martin Pinfold described to the jury on April 8 how the victim was approached by half dozen or so boys with bandanas over their faces.
He said: "As the defendant approached he pulled the drawstrings on his hoodie so as to partially conceal his face. He grabbed the victim by the throat and told him to hand over his property. The victim protested and said: 'You know me, we were at the same school.'"
The thug said he didn't care and punched the victim on the head before pushing him to the ground.
The victim lost his wallet, �90 and his mobile.
The jury did not fall for Tijani's defence of duress and convicted him of robbery.
nadia.sam-daliri@archant.co.uk
