Youths locked up over ‘serious’ campaign of robberies

In less than an hour in the early hours of May 19 last year they, with another man yet to be sentenced, launched four separate attacks believing their victims would have iPods, phones, cash or bank cards to steal.

Sentencing the quartet at Leeds Crown Court yesterday the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said such offences had become increasingly common in Leeds causing fear among the student population, a significant part of the community and “the courts must be seen to be taking this type of offending seriously.”

He said the four were different from many defendants since they were not from disadvantaged backgrounds, had no habit to feed or debts to pay when they drove around looking for their targets.

The first student was attacked in Alexandra Road about 2.15am. He was knocked to the ground, kicked and punched, made to empty his pockets and his headphones were stolen.

Minutes later a young woman was attacked in Clarendon Road by three youths, who pushed her to the ground and when she clung to her bag she was punched in the face, and it was ripped from her.

A friend with her was struck on the back of his head but managed to escape.

The third attack was in North Grange Road about 2.30am when their next victim heard footsteps and tried to hide in a doorway but was surrounded and when he refused to give them his money was punched in the face and eventually handed over his phone.

The final victim was attacked at about 2.45am as he walked to his girlfriend’s and became aware of a white car cruising past him. When it came back and two youths got out, he ran but was caught. His wallet was taken and his concerned girlfriend found him shocked and with his face covered in blood.

Sakeeb Zaman, 20, of Luxor View, Harehills, Leeds who at the time was himself a student at Leeds Metropolitan University, was sent to a young offender institution for four years three months after he admitted conspiracy to rob and while on bail in July robbing a shopkeeper in Bradford.

Hamza Zaman, 16 also of Luxor View, Shah Khan, 16 of Lascelles View, and Safwaan Raja, 17 of Gathorne Terrace, all Leeds, each admitted conspiracy to rob and received 24 months’ detention and training orders.