Brothers sentenced after 'malicious' robbery in Wandsworth

On Monday January 11, two brothers aged 16 and 18 were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court for robbery. 

It comes after the brothers targeted two people who were on their way to a gym in the Garratt lane area last year. 

On September 28, the brothers tried to engage the victims in a conversation, which became aggressive. It was reported that the victims were told they would be stabbed if they didn't withdraw all of their money from a cash machine. 

The victims were separated and taken to different machines, where one victim was unable to withdraw any money. The other was able to take out a total of £500.

The victims were brought together and taken to a bank where they were ordered to withdraw more cash. With a mix of transfers and withdrawals ordered, the suspects were looking at upwards of £2900.

Alarm bells rang when the victim tried to withdraw the large amount and the bank staff became suspicious, calling police to the scene.

Both suspects were arrested and charged with two counts of kidnap and two counts of robbery on the same day. Both pleaded guilty to robbery. 

The 16-year-old was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order for 18 months, 15 reparation sessions and prohibited activity requirement for three months.

The 18-year-old received 32-months in a youth offenders institute.

Detective Constable George Beard, the investigating officer from South West Burglary and Robbery Team, said: “This was a malicious robbery by two brothers who intimated they had weapons.

The result of this will be long lasting psychological effects on the victims and their families.

"The quick thinking of the cashier who notified the police and the fast response time of our officers on the ground must be noted.

"I am satisfied with the sentence, as too are the victims.

 "The length of the sentence should provide reassurance that they will not see the accused for their remaining period at university in south-west London.”