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Victim's Photo Leads to Mugger's Swift Arrest
29 Mar
Summary
- A victim used his phone to photograph a mugger, aiding police.
- A gold chain worth £700 was stolen at knifepoint on Oxford Street.
- Both defendants were convicted of robbery and carrying a blade.
A violent knife-point robbery on London's Oxford Street was resolved swiftly thanks to the victim's quick actions. Ashley D'Souza was robbed of a £700 gold chain by Hamdan Khowjsly, 21, and Mohammed Adam, 22, in the early hours of July 26 last year. Mr. D'Souza managed to take a photograph of Khowjsly during the incident.
Minutes after the robbery, police officers spotted the two suspects, wearing balaclavas and dark clothing, in the vicinity. A chase ensued, leading to the arrest of Adam and Khowjsly. Knives were found in their possession. Both men, who required Sudanese interpreters in court, pleaded guilty.
The stolen gold chain, described as a sentimental and religious heirloom, has not been recovered. Mr. D'Souza reported feeling shaken, humiliated, and questioned his safety walking in London, experiencing flashbacks. The court heard about the defendants' difficult pasts, including traumatic upbringings and flight from conflict zones.
Despite defenses highlighting their backgrounds, the judge deemed them potentially irrelevant to the premeditated nature of the crime. Khowjsly and Adam were sentenced to a total of 52 months in prison. Detective Constable Emily Blatchford praised the rapid police response, emphasizing a commitment to tackling street crime in the West End.
