Three men who carried out “despicable” gunpoint robberies of brothels across London have been jailed for 32 years.
Faisal Masood, 18, Melchezidec Williams, 19 and Kyan Bhola, 17, of Shepherds Bush, stole thousands of pounds from 13 brothels in north and west London.
Harrow Crown Court heard the trio would search for their targets online and phone up pretending to be clients before booking an appointment.
The gang would then force entry into the buildings and once inside threaten the occupants with violence. Some victims would be threatened with knives held to their throats or guns to their heads.
Police identified the series of robberies and searched two addresses in Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush on June 27 last year and arrested 16 people.
Officers recovered an imitation firearm and a large quantity of property, believed to be stolen.
A photograph of Williams posing with a wad of cash was also found by investigators.
All three denied the charges but after a three week trial the jury returned an unanimous guilty verdict and they were jailed today.
Masood and Williams, who live in Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush, were sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Bhola, who can be named after a court order protecting his identity was lifted, was jailed for eight years.
Detective Sergeant Tony Bellis of Brent CID said: "The offences were committed during hours of darkness with the use of weapons and disguises and were a harrowing and terrifying ordeal for all those targeted.
“Even in the face of overwhelming evidence, those responsible for committing these despicable crimes insisted on calling a number of the victims and witnesses to court to relive their ordeal.”
