Gang members jailed for armed raid (From Your Local Guardian)

Gang members jailed for armed raid

4:30pm Monday 13th October 2008

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A judge jailed two members of a criminal gang which he said was responsible for a “significant amount of crime” in Croydon.

The two members of the Don’t Say Nothing (DSN) gang were given lengthy jail sentences on Friday at Croydon Crown Court for their part in an armed raid last year.

“There is a significant risk to the public of serious injury caused by you.”

Recorder Michael Wood QC

Ronaldo Robb, 17 and Louis Wynter, 18, were convicted of a robbery on Woods jewellery shop in Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, on July 7 last year, as well as being in possession of an imitation firearm.

Recorder Michael Wood QC told Robb: “There is a significant risk to the public of serious injury caused by you.”

He added: “The gang are responsible for a significant amount of crime in the Croydon area.”

Robb claimed he had not been near the shop at the time, and Wynter said he had been coerced by other gang members into taking part in the raid.

Robb, who already has a long criminal record, is currently serving two and a half years for false imprisonment. He also pleaded guilty to a number of robberies on a Crawley to Croydon train in August, 2007, while he was on bail.

A minimum sentence of three years and three months was imposed on Robb for the shop raid and the train robberies.

Wynter, the adopted son of a solicitor, was given three-and-a-half years, of which he will serve half.

The judge said: “In your case, I accept there is genuine remorse. I hope you can put these matters behind you. You are an intelligent young man with a supportive family. I hope you have a bright future”.

The judge commented: “Robberies of this kind involving the targeting of small businesses are always extremely serious. Crimes against small businesses have increased faster than in any other part of the country.”

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