Omed Azizi, a 31-year-old resident of Hargrave Drive, Harrow, has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for his involvement in a violent robbery in Soho. The conviction comes following a thorough investigation by Metropolitan Police detectives, who utilised DNA and CCTV evidence to link Azizi to the crime.
Azizi pleaded guilty to the robbery at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, July 3, before receiving his sentence on Monday, September 18.
Detective Constable Harriet Barby, who led the investigation, commented on the case, saying, “Azizi is a dangerous offender, who targeted a young man enjoying a night out with his friends in Soho. This type of behavior is intolerable, and the lasting impact that such an unprovoked and violent attack can have on a victim is huge. I am pleased that Azizi has received a custodial sentence. Hopefully, this will offer the victim and his family some sense of justice.”
She further emphasised the commitment of law enforcement to tackle robbery and ensure the safety of Londoners, stating, “This is another example of officers working hard to take dangerous individuals off the streets of London.”
The incident leading to Azizi’s arrest occurred shortly after 04:00 hrs on Sunday, April 30, when the police responded to a call from a hotel in Richmond Mews. In the hotel’s reception area, a man in his 20s was discovered injured, indicating that he had been assaulted. Initially, the victim declined medical treatment, so officers arranged for him to be taken home.
The victim, who had been out with friends in Soho that night, had no recollection of the attack. An investigation was initiated to determine the circumstances surrounding his injuries.
Detectives obtained CCTV footage from the vicinity around the hotel, which revealed that the victim had been violently assaulted by two men in Richmond Mews. The assailants were seen fleeing the scene after the attack. They had lured the victim to a secluded area, where they assaulted him, stealing his Rolex watch, three designer bracelets, his phone, bank cards, and other jewellery.
While the CCTV footage did not provide clear images of the suspects’ faces, detectives conducted further inquiries to identify them. They tracked the movements of the two men before the assault and discovered footage showing one of the assailants inhaling a balloon as he moved through Soho, ultimately leading the victim to the site of the attack.
Moreover, CCTV footage captured this man inhaling a balloon directly before the assault occurred, with the discarded balloon later found by detectives at the crime scene. Forensic testing of the balloon revealed Azizi’s DNA, linking him to the crime.
Phone data analysis indicated that the victim’s phone had been used at a hotel in Marylebone in the hours following the attack, further implicating Azizi.
As a result of the compelling evidence against him, Azizi was arrested and subsequently charged with robbery. He later admitted his guilt, leading to his recent sentencing.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Ware from the Central West BCU, present at the sentencing hearing, emphasised the complexity of the investigation and highlighted the message it sends to potential offenders. He stated, “This outcome should act as a warning to anyone else thinking of committing such an offence, that we will do all we can to identify you and bring you to justice.”
Despite Azizi’s conviction, the identity of the other assailant remains unknown. Authorities have released two images of him and are appealing to the public for information to assist in his identification. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police at 101, quoting reference number 6530451/23.
