Islington moped criminals jailed for 33 years over phone shop raids

Three Islington moped crooks have today been jailed for a total 33 years after taking part in a series of mobile phone shop raids.

Alfie Kennedy, 21, of Arlington Avenue, was given 13 years and one month. Bobby Kennedy, 22, of no fixed address but from Islington, was sentenced to 11 years and six months. Chang Mabiala, 22, of Union Square, was sentenced to eight years and six months.

They were part of a gang of 10 which used mopeds to carry out 17 burglaries of mobile phone stores across east and north London between May and November last year.

The gang would smash their way into the shops and during one robbery, a witness was threatened with a firearm. Three security staff were also beaten in other raids.

Alfie Kennedy admitted conspiracy to commit burglary, while Bobby Kennedy and Mabiala were found guilty of the same charge after separate trials.

They were sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Det Sgt Danny Watts said: “We are very pleased with the totality of the sentences [110 years for the entire gang of 10]. This sends a clear message to criminals engaged in crimes using mopeds.”

Det Supt Sean Yates said: “These men are very dangerous criminals. This case has led to dangerous individuals being taken off the streets, ultimately stopping them from committing more offences and causing serious injury to potential victims.

“We are pleased with the judge’s sentence. We are committed to relentlessly pursue those violent criminals who blight the communities they live in.”