A gang of cash-in-transit robbers have been sentenced for a series of violent robberies across south-west London. Ishmael Baptiste and Romaine Gayle were convicted alongside Andre Abrahams and Gladstone Allen of robbery, after they were arrested by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad.

Abraham and Allen were also sentenced for two counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, in relation to a separate investigation led by Trident. Details of Abraham and Allen's convictions were held back whilst the cash-in-transit trial went ahead. At their trial the Judge HHJ Zeidman sentenced each of the men to indeterminate terms of imprisonment for public protection. Neither will be considered for parole until they have served 10 years.

Trident launched an investigation following the shooting of two men on Friday 13th August 2010 at approx 18:30hrs, in a hostel in Ritherdon Road, Tooting. The victims, a 31-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, had gone to the address to visit a woman. When they arrived Abrahams and Allen were already there. An argument began and Abrahams left the room and returned with a handgun. The victims fought with him in the hallway and the gun fell to the ground. It was picked up by Allen who fired approximately five times from close range. The 31-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and the 22-year-old suffered injuries to his head, neck and buttock.

Detectives from the Flying Squad launched a proactive investigation following a cash-in-transit robbery on 4th August 2010, where a G4S employee was assaulted and cash stolen. The suspects left the scene in a silver VW Golf which was later found to be registered to Abrahams. Three further robberies were linked to the same suspects before the gang committed their fifth and final robbery on 16 November 2010 at approx 10:25hrs at the Total Petrol Station, Lower Richmond Road, TW9. They were swiftly arrested by the Flying Squad in a nearby flat whilst still in possession of dye-stained cash and clothing.

Detective Superintendent Tony Nash, Trident, said: "These men committed a multitude of violent crimes across London and thought nothing of resorting to extreme violence at the drop of a hat. Their actions blighted the lives of terrified and innocent people caught up in the cash-in-transit robberies they committed for no other reason than their own greed, and Allen and Abraham's thought nothing of using a firearm to shoot two men following a disagreement. The sentences received are right and a true reflection of their crimes."

Details of the robberies and convictions:

Count 1: Robbery, Clapham High Street on Wednesday 4 August 2010.
Count 2: Robbery opposite 310 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11on Wednesday 22 September 2010.
Count 3: Robbery outside Clapham Junction British Rail Station, Junction approach, London SW11 on Tuesday 26 October 2010.
Count 4: Robbery outside Mcdonalds, Swandon Way, London SW18 on Monday 1 November 2010. Count 5: Robbery at the Total Petrol Station, Lower Richmond Road, TW9, on Tuesday 16 November 2010.


January 23, 2012