Both sentenced to eight years for GBH

Two men have been sentenced last week to eight years in jail for two separate attacks in the borough.

Andrew Gray, 67, of Pember Road, Kensal Rise, stabbed a 39-year-old man in nearby Wakeman Road on February 8 this year.

Harrow Crown Court heard Gray was owed money by his victim and an argument over the debt culminated with the stabbing.

He was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent to cause serious harm.

Detective Constable Claire Lawler from Brent Violent Crime Unit said: “This crime involved Andrew Gray using gratuitous and unnecessary violence against the victim.

“The sentence sends out a clear message to others that the police and courts will take a robust approach against those who seek to place our communities in fear.”

Toqeer Azam, 30, of Cricklewood Lane, Cricklewood, was jailed after admitted assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and robbery at his trial in April.

Harrow Crown Court heard Azam repeatedly beat a 44-year-old old man with a piece of wood and stamped on his head in an alleyway next to the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn High Road at 2.45am on February 18 this year.

Before he fled he snatched a mobile phone from a witness.

Detective Sergeant Gail Smith from the Violent Crime Unit at Kilburn said: “Toqeer Azam’s sentence reflects the ferocity of the assault itself and the lasting psychological and physical effects on his victim, who is still receiving treatment for his injuries.

“Many members of the public came forward to give statements about what they had seen and heard and I would like to thank those people because they contributed to the early guilty plea at court. “