A ruthless gang of violent robbers who attempted to evade police surveillance have been jailed for a series of terrifying crimes across North London.
Eight men, masked and armed with knives and machetes, committed 20 offences between April and July 2019. Their targets included victims in cars and homes, where they demanded cash and high-end watches.
The eight gang members were sentenced at Harrow Crown Court as follows:
- Patrick Delaney, 30, Camden – 16 years for conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary.
- Martin Delaney, 29, Camden – 11 years for robbery and attempted robbery.
- Kiaron Jones-Hewitt, 27, West Hampstead – 8 years for attempted robbery.
- Andy Kiasuka-Kiakanda, 26, NW8 – 14 years 4 months for conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary.
- Cheyenne Cato, 27, West Hampstead – 15 years.
- Jordan Northover, 28, no fixed address – 18 years, plus 6 years concurrent for attempted robbery of Arsenal players.
- Ryan Leurs, 19, Hampstead – 9 years.
- Steven Barton, 20, Camden – 9 years.
The gang mainly operated in Finchley, Barnet, and Hampstead, using machetes to threaten victims. One victim was forced to hand over his Rolex watch after being chased and threatened with a machete. An elderly victim, aged 80, was pushed to the floor during a violent home invasion. In another incident, the gang held a crowbar over a man’s head and threatened his wife to open a safe, escaping with £93,000 worth of jewellery and £6,000 in cash.
The Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad closely monitored the gang. During a 2020 burglary attempt, the gang fled empty-handed but later tried to smash the window of a car, which turned out to be an unmarked police vehicle. Police, supported by a helicopter, arrested the gang after they abandoned a stolen Audi and attempted to escape on foot and bicycles. Officers recovered machetes and zombie knives from a nearby flat.
Detective Sergeant Gary Taylor of the Flying Squad said: “This gang’s violent attacks and threats with weapons were shocking. They wrongly thought they wouldn’t get caught, but we closed the net with a top-notch surveillance operation. Victims’ bravery helped bring these criminals to justice.”
Jordan Northover received additional prison time after attempting to rob two Arsenal players in July 2019. CCTV footage showed suspects arriving on a motorbike and threatening the victims with a sharp object. The players fought back and escaped unharmed.
Separately, Ashley Smith, 31, pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery involving drug possession and was jailed for 10 years at Harrow Crown Court in November 2020.
This gang’s violent rampage has now ended behind bars, making London’s streets safer thanks to swift police action and the bravery of victims who stood up to these fearsome criminals.
Originally published by UKNIP.
