Gang members who robbed supermarkets and convenience stores across Hackney and Islington armed with screwdrivers and metal poles were jailed for a total of more than 30 years on Friday
Azizi Foster, 27, of Upper Clapton Road, Clapton, along with three accomplices, were locked up after targeting 27 premises between March and May last year, making off with between £20,000 and £25,000.
The criminals would enter shops with a variety of blunt instruments, including batons, and once inside they would act aggressively, shouting at staff and customers to “get down”.
On at least two occasions they assaulted terrified staff before forcing open tills and stealing cash.
Terrorising
They targeted Sainsbury’s in Holloway Road, Holloway; in Mare Street and Hackney Road, Hackney, and in Stroud Green Road, Stroud Green.
They also went for Co-ops in Hackney Road, Hackney; Homerton High Street, Homerton, and Theydon Road, Upper Clapton, as well as other shops across the capital. Police caught the gang carrying out a robbery in Harrow Road as part of an operation named Aquarium.
Det Con Neil Lambourne, from London Crime Squad, said: “These men were committing violent robberies and terrorising innocent staff and customers.”
All four were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court last week. Foster was given 10 years in prison, as was Coltt Hylton, 21, of Southampton Row, Bloomsbury after both men were found gulity. Mustapha Feika, 19, of Tooting, was sentenced to eight years and six months behind bars, and Stephen Davis, 18, of Battersea, was locked up for three years after they pleasded guilty.
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