Man Jailed Following Armed Robbery

A man extradited back to the United Kingdom to face charges over an armed robbery committed in 2005 has been jailed at court today.

Mohamed Hassan, 24, of no fixed abode was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to 8 years imprisonment.

For the count of robbery he received 5 years' imprisonment; For the count of possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery he received 6 years' imprisonment.

These two sentences are to run concurrently.

For a count of possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply he received 2 years' imprisonment - to run consecutively.

His Honour Judge Morrison said Hassan would have received 14 years' imprisonment had he not pleaded at the earliest opportunity and provided evidence that he had turned his life around since committing the offences.

DC Siân Newell from the Metropolitan Police Service's Finchley Flying Squad said: "Mohamed Hassan was involved in a particularly harrowing robbery. Two shots were fired by an accomplice and it was only luck that prevented anyone from being hurt. I hope this sentence illustrates that wherever a suspect flees and no matter what time has elapsed, the Flying Squad will pursue and ensure that suspects are put before the courts."

On 22 April 2005 police were called at approximately 21.30hrs to reports of a robbery at Wineways off-licence in Holmstall Parade, Burnt Oak.

Three suspects had entered the premises and one of them, who was holding a gun, demanded money from a member of staff. One suspect kept watch at the door, whilst another started taking money from the till and champagne from the shelves.

On hearing the disturbance a female employee came from the storeroom of the shop and pushed one of the suspects away from the champagne. A shot was fired but no one was injured.

As the suspects turned to leave the shop, the gunman pointed the firearm in the direction of the shop owner and fired a second shot, but no one was injured. All three males then left the shop and ran off.

An investigation was launched by the Finchley Flying Squad which included media appeals on 'Crimewatch' to ask the public for information.

Hassan was identified as a result of work carried out by the Metropolitan Police Fingerprint Branch. Inquiries conducted by the Flying Squad revealed that he was in Egypt, a country with no extradition treaty with the UK.

Hassan had fled to Egypt following him being arrested and bailed in relation to possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply. This offence took place on 7 June 2006 in Deansbrook Road, Edgware, HA8. He was also extradited in order to be charged with this offence.

By 2011 further inquiries conducted by the Flying Squad revealed that Hassan was in the United States of America. Extradition proceedings were then commenced.

Hassan was arrested in the USA after an extradition warrant was executed in July 2011. He was placed into custody in America and brought to Heathrow Airport on Tuesday 1 November 2011 by members of the Metropolitan Police Extradition Unit.

DC Newell arrested Hassan and he was taken into custody and charged the same day.

He subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday 9 November 2011; he pleaded guilty to the drugs offences today (3 January).

The third suspect in this offence remains unidentified.

A second man - Muzzaker Shah, 30, of Middlesex - was charged by officers from the Finchley Flying Squad in relation to this offence. He was charged with robbery and possession of a firearm on 1 February 2006 at Bridewell Police Station, Leeds.

(GK)