Four members of violent gang convicted over string of knifepoint robberies
New Scotland Yard sign outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters in London
Kirsty O'Connor
All four appeared at Wood Green Crown Court in North London, where they entered 27 guilty pleas to robbery and possession of a bladed weapon.
The group have now been convicted of 19 separate offences.
The robbery gang included Abdurahman Haramein, 19, from Islington in north London.
Omar Abdelqadir Hassan, also aged 19, from Hanley Road in north London.
And Adbirashid Mahamed, 18, from Highbury in north London.
Adbirashid Mahamed
Police handout
Abdurahman Haramein
Police handout
The fourth member of the gang, a 17-year-old from Islington, cannot be named for legal reasons.
The court heard that between January and March 2021, a series of knifepoint robberies across Camden and Islington were linked by a common theme.
The victims, mostly lone males, were approached and accused of robbing one of the suspects’ cousins.
The victims would usually be led away from busy thoroughfares and into side streets, where they would be threatened at knifepoint and assaulted, before they were made to hand over mobile phones, money and other valuables.
Omar Abdelqadir Hassan
Police handout
Police said the victims, aged between 14 to 40, were badly shaken following the incidents.
Sergeant Christian Willans of the Met's Central North Command Unit said: "I've no doubt the streets of Camden and Islington will be safer as a result of this investigation.
"The officers worked forensically to identify the suspects before gathering a wealth of witness accounts, CCTV, mobile phone data and ID procedures, proving their involvement and leaving them with no option but to plead guilty.
"This investigation is a prime example that robbery will absolutely not be tolerated, and we will do everything in our power to bring perpetrators to justice."
Robbery is the biggest contributor to youth violence in London, with almost a quarter of all robberies being knife enabled, according to latest figures.
The north London robbery gang members are due to appear for sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday 24 August.