21/04/2015

Four Jailed For 26 Years For Armed Robbery

Four men have been jailed for a total of 26 years in connection with an armed robbery in Tooting last October.

Kingston Crown Court heard how the four men forced their way into the home of a 46-year-old man, who was in bed asleep, and demanded money at about 23:40 on 16 October, 2014.

The men wore balaclavas and one of them is believed to have been carrying a firearm.

The victim was able to escape by jumping from a bedroom window as the men ransacked his home.

The court heard that an unmarked police car was patrolling the area at the time of the incident and intercepted the men "within seconds" of them trying to make their escape in a black BMW.

Gary Mowatt, 39, of Laura Place, E5 was sentenced to six year imprisonment; Sylvanus Scott, 39, of Balham Grove, SW12 was sentenced to six years and six months imprisonment; Kevin Rodgers, 41 of White Hart Lane, N17 was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment; and Peter Nunes, 38 of Honeybrook Road, SW12 was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment.

Mowatt was also sentenced to an additional six months imprisonment for dangerous driving.

Detective Constable Ed Currie said: "We commend the victim who, despite his horrendous ordeal, has found the courage to come forward and provide crucial evidence at court and stand up to their despicable actions.

"Fortunately, officers were close by to swoop in on the suspects and remove a live firearm from the streets. All of the evidence suggests that the motivation for this crime was purely for financial gain. They will now face a different consequence behind bars."

(MH/CD)

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