Jail for gang member in one-night ‘robbery campaign’ targeting students

Hamdi Saleh was among a gang who drove around north Leeds in a car in the early hours of May 19 last year selecting victims they believed would have iPods, phones, cash or bank cards to steal.

During a 45-minute period they attacked four, including a young woman who was punched in the face when she tried to hold on to her bag in Clarendon Road,

The gang were later arrested by police after the car was stopped in Roundhay, but while on bail Saleh went on to rob a newsagent in Bradford of cigarettes on July 8. Saleh, 21, of Gathorne Terrace, Harehills, Leeds, admitted conspiracy to rob and robbery.

Four other defendants were locked up earlier this month when the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said such a “campaign of robbery” caused fear among the student community and added: “the courts must be seen to be taking this type of offending seriously.” Jailing Saleh at Leeds Crown Court yesterday for three years eight months, he said a significant degree of force was involved in the offences on the students. He added that, although no weapon was used, his position was aggravated by offending again while on bail.