Gang attacked two youths between Brentford and Chiswick

Four youths who violently robbed two teenage boys on a train between Brentford and Chiswick have been sentenced to a total of over nine years following an investigation by British Transport Police (BTP).

Hisham Jama of Ealing, Suhaib Erekat of West Drayton, Dwayne Pennycooke of Southall and Sufi Sufi of Greenford, all aged 18, had pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery each at an earlier hearing. They were sentenced on Friday, 24 May at Isleworth Crown Court to a total of 112 months in a Young Offenders' Institution.

The court heard how on Friday, 8 March, the victims, two 17-year-old boys, were travelling on the train at around 8.30pm.

On arrival at Brentford station, the four boarded, sat down next to the victims and started to engage them in conversation offering to sell them drugs. When one of the victims stood up to leave the train, he was blocked in by three of the men who did not let him pass into the aisle. He was then punched hard in the face by one of the group, knocking off his glasses. Fearing for his safety, he managed to get past the group, but was punched a second time in the back of the head.

The second victim also tried to get past the group and towards the doors, but was dragged back by the group who proceeded to punch and stamp on him on the floor. The first victim asked the group to stop hurting his friend but was punched again in the face, before too being shoved to the floor.

The two victims had their wallets, phones and other items stolen and were kicked and punched further by the group. They were ordered to remain on the train when the four left at Chiswick.

Following the incident, Detective Constable Mark Agrippa and his colleagues from BTP’s dedicated robbery squad launched an investigation. As part of their enquiries, images of the four were released to the media and all four subsequently handed themselves into police after seeing their images in the local media.

Sufi and Jama were arrested on Tuesday, 9 April and Erekat and Pennycooke were arrested a week later on Tuesday, 16 April. All four were charged with two counts of robbery.

Speaking after the sentencing, DC Agrippa said: “This was a callous robbery on the victims, which was understandably a terrifying experience for them.

“I welcome the result handed down to these four men, and hope it sends out a clear message that BTP, and the courts, do not tolerate this kind of behaviour on the railway and we will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible face justice.”

May 29, 2013