Nine members of a moped gang who threatened to snatch a woman’s three-year-old daughter have committed a staggering 383 offences between them, a court heard today.
Footage of the robbery last June went viral and was shared by Britain’s Got Taken judge Amanda Holden, who urged the public to call the police “if u know these scumbags”.
Today it emerged the gang had previous convictions for burglaries, handling stolen goods, car theft, aggravated vehicle taking, assault and robbery.
The thugs were chased away by builders brandishing scaffolding poles after they spotted them demanding the mother hand over her jewellery in Richmond, south-west London.
The 12-strong gang, three of whom have no previous convictions, was also behind a string of high profile raids across London, including stealing £170,000 of camera equipment used to film the Oxford and Cambridge boat race.
The thugs, aged between 18 and 36, and who were all linked to ringleader Terry Marsh, 32, today appeared at Kingston crown court for 20 offences, including conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to steal, criminal damage and handling stolen goods.
Prosecutor Paul Fairley described the gang’s history of offending on the second day of the sentencing which was attended by dozens of family members and friends.
Worst was Steven Weller, 36, who had 30 separate court sentencings for 79 offences. Mr Fairley said: “These are mainly driving matters, there are some thefts of and from motor vehicles.”
Ringleader Terry Marsh, 32, faces years behind bars after amassing 26 appearances for 78 offences including burglaries from 2003 to 2014.
Mr Fairley said these included: “Significantly a robbery in 2003 and aggravated vehicle taking in 2003 and 2005.
“There was a burglary of a dwelling in 2008 for which he received 54 months’ imprisonment; again assault with intent to rob in 2011 for which he received four years’ imprisonment; and finally a burglary of a dwelling in 2014 for which he received three years.”
John McFadyen, 24, who threatened to hurt the mother’s toddler if she did not hand over jewellery, had four convictions for ten offences including going equipped for theft, burgling a home and handling stolen goods.
Taking the criminals off the streets has helped cut moped crime in the capital by 52 per cent in a year, Met detectives say.
The gang first came to attention on New Year’s Eve 2017 after a ram raid on outdoor clothing company Altimus Ltd in Kensington using a stolen Range Rover and several mopeds.
Three were arrested last May after a high-speed police chase which lasted more than 90 minutes and spanned ten London boroughs.
The trio, who were piled on the same moped and drove the wrong way up the A40, tried to film their escape attempt.
Omar Tafat, 22, of Fulham, west London, admitted theft, going equipped to steal, criminal damage to a police car and breach of a criminal behaviour order, and was found guilty of two further counts of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at trial.
Josh Myers, 19, of Shepherds Bush, west London, pleaded guilty to attempted theft, going equipped to steal, criminal damage to a police car, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, possession of an offensive weapon and conspiracy to steal.
He was also found guilty of two further counts of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at trial.
Kian Taylor, 20, of no fixed address, admitted attempted theft, going equipped to steal, criminal damage to a police car, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and possession of an offensive weapon, and was found guilty of robbery after trial.
Steven Weller, 36, of Ealing, west London, admitted conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to burgle.
Marsh, of Fulham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to burgle.
He apologised to the woman and her daughter today. His defence barrister Zarif Khan said: “He would specifically like to put forward an apology to the lady concerned in the Sandpits incident.
“When I spoke to him yesterday, he said he was extremely ashamed and indeed he found it difficult to watch the video.”
Ryan Moran, 26, of Fulham, admitted conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to burgle and handling stolen goods.
John McFadyen, of Feltham, west London, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, while his brother Isaac, 18, admitted conspiracy to rob.
Mitchall Leaver, 25, of Battersea, south west London, admitted conspiracy to burgle. His twin brother Scott, of Lambeth, was found guilty of the same charge after trial.
Aaron Pask, 27, of White City, west London, was convicted of conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to steal, while Ram Monk 23, of no fixed address was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle.
The sentencing hearing continues and is expected to conclude on Monday.
