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Men jailed for Tube gang attacks Men jailed for Tube gang attacks
(about 1 hour later)
Four members of a "callous" gang which carried out up to 150 robberies have been jailed indefinitely.Four members of a "callous" gang which carried out up to 150 robberies have been jailed indefinitely.
The Kensal Green Tribe targeted many of their victims on London's Underground, Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court heard.The Kensal Green Tribe targeted many of their victims on London's Underground, Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court heard.
They were led by Donnel Carty and Delano Brown, who stabbed City lawyer Tom ap Rhys Pryce to death in 2006.They were led by Donnel Carty and Delano Brown, who stabbed City lawyer Tom ap Rhys Pryce to death in 2006.
Toyan Vassell, 18, Ishmail Cowell, 23, Harry Bees, 17, and Kariem Al-Ebadi, 18, were convicted of the robberies, carried out in 2005 and 2006.Toyan Vassell, 18, Ishmail Cowell, 23, Harry Bees, 17, and Kariem Al-Ebadi, 18, were convicted of the robberies, carried out in 2005 and 2006.
Vassell, Cowell and Bees were also found guilty of three charges of wounding with intent.Vassell, Cowell and Bees were also found guilty of three charges of wounding with intent.
'Pack of animals''Pack of animals'
The court heard how the gang's campaign of robbery and gratuitous violence lasted eight months.The court heard how the gang's campaign of robbery and gratuitous violence lasted eight months.
Almost half the attacks took place on the London Underground, and nine were carried out in one evening.Almost half the attacks took place on the London Underground, and nine were carried out in one evening.
Prosecutors described them rampaging through Tube trains like a "pack of animals", issuing death threats and stabbing some victims as they stole MP3 players, mobile phones, watches and cash.Prosecutors described them rampaging through Tube trains like a "pack of animals", issuing death threats and stabbing some victims as they stole MP3 players, mobile phones, watches and cash.
One woman was held at gun-point and threatened with rape when she refused to hand over her valuables.One woman was held at gun-point and threatened with rape when she refused to hand over her valuables.
The violence peaked in January 2006 when Carty and Brown followed Mr ap Rhys Pryce, 31, from Kensal Green tube station in north-west London and stabbed him repeatedly for his mobile phone, oyster card and £20. CCTV cameras filmed the gang stealing from Tube passengersThe violence peaked in January 2006 when Carty and Brown followed Mr ap Rhys Pryce, 31, from Kensal Green tube station in north-west London and stabbed him repeatedly for his mobile phone, oyster card and £20.
You abused and terrified the public in a way which is in itself totally unjustified Judge Henry Blacksell QC
Vassell, from Stanmore, Cowell and Bees, both from Harrow, and Al-Ebadi, from Willesden, were convicted of conspiracy to rob.Vassell, from Stanmore, Cowell and Bees, both from Harrow, and Al-Ebadi, from Willesden, were convicted of conspiracy to rob.
Vassell, Cowell and Bees were also found guilty of three charges of wounding with intent.Vassell, Cowell and Bees were also found guilty of three charges of wounding with intent.
All four must serve a minimum five years behind bars before being eligible for parole.All four must serve a minimum five years behind bars before being eligible for parole.
Sentencing, Judge Henry Blacksell QC said it was one of the worst robbery sprees of its kind he had ever heard of. You abused and terrified the public in a way which is in itself totally unjustified Judge Henry Blacksell QC Sentencing, Judge Henry Blacksell QC said it was one of the worst robbery sprees of its kind he had ever heard of.
"You preyed on the general public in a callous, cynical way. You abused and terrified the public in a way which is in itself totally unjustified," he said."You preyed on the general public in a callous, cynical way. You abused and terrified the public in a way which is in itself totally unjustified," he said.
The robberies ended in the murder of lawyer Tom ap Rhys Pryce"You are cowards, you are bullies, you taunt people and you contrive situations so you had a pretext to assault people." "You are cowards, you are bullies, you taunt people and you contrive situations so you had a pretext to assault people."
The judge added: "It is not just the taking of the property, outrageous though that is, but the fact you enjoyed humiliating people and beating them up.The judge added: "It is not just the taking of the property, outrageous though that is, but the fact you enjoyed humiliating people and beating them up.
"We have all seen CCTV images of people limping and bleeding, while you are jumping barriers, laughing." The robberies ended in the murder of lawyer Tom ap Rhys Pryce"We have all seen CCTV images of people limping and bleeding, while you are jumping barriers, laughing."
On Monday fellow gang members Aaron Dennis, 19, from Harrow, and Sebastian Chidi, 19, from Notting Hill, were convicted of the same charges and sentenced to five years in jail.On Monday fellow gang members Aaron Dennis, 19, from Harrow, and Sebastian Chidi, 19, from Notting Hill, were convicted of the same charges and sentenced to five years in jail.
Carty and Brown were jailed last year for killing Mr ap Rhys Pryce in January 2006.Carty and Brown were jailed last year for killing Mr ap Rhys Pryce in January 2006.
Outside the court, British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Paul Crowther said: "This was a prolific and callous group of robbers that created its own mini-crimewave in what is otherwise a very low-crime environment.Outside the court, British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Paul Crowther said: "This was a prolific and callous group of robbers that created its own mini-crimewave in what is otherwise a very low-crime environment.
"The judge's commendation of the investigating team is testament to the complex evidential analysis and superb investigative work that helped bring justice to the victims.""The judge's commendation of the investigating team is testament to the complex evidential analysis and superb investigative work that helped bring justice to the victims."