Teenagers jailed for armed robberies (From Your Local Guardian)

Teenagers jailed for convenience stores armed robberies

2:07pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

Two teenagers have been jailed for seven years after robbing convenience stores with a handgun.

Philip Nelson, 18, of Kenilford Road, Balham, and Rahmon Wray, 18, of Solon New Road, Clapham, were found guilty of conspiracy to rob convenience stores between March 23 and April 3.

Kingston Crown Court heard the pair were seen arriving on a cream moped at Anish Food Stores in Weir Road, Balham, on March 23, at about 4.30pm.

Wray got off the moped and took an object with him from under the seat, placing it in his waistband as he walked towards the store.

But after spotting CCTV cameras and a security screen Wray left the shop and both teenagers drove off.

Two days later they were seen in Parsons Convenience Store, in Franciscan Road, Tooting.

Nelson was armed with a black handgun and threatened a male member of staff at gunpoint.

The victim showed no resistance, but Nelson went on to hit him over the head with a bottle and the victim needed hospital treatment after the attack.

They made off with cigarettes and the contents of the till before speeding off on the motorbike.

The pair struck again on April 2 at The Cosy Corner, Emmanuel Road, Balham and threatened the woman working behind the till with a handgun.

Wray searched the store looking for items to steal before making off with money and cigarettes.

On April 3 they went to the Vale Mini Market, in Streatham Vale, on a moped at 12.45pm.

Wray placed a bottle on the counter as if to purchase it, but instead of paying took out his handgun and whipped the victim over the head.

He went on to rip the till from the counter and left the scene, with the shop worker needing hospital treatment.

Five minutes after they were seen in ACA Newsagents in Fenthorpe Road, Streatham and again whipped a member of staff with the handgun.

They emptied the till and travelled away on a blue moped.

The pair were arrested by officers on April 13 in Renmuir Street, Tooting.

On Tuesday, the youths were each sentenced to seven years imprisonment for conspiracy to rob convenience stores and five years imprisonment for possession of a firearm or imitation firearm while committing an indictable offence, to run concurrently.

They had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges.