Information on Loughborough

Men jailed for three robberies

Posted on 18/03/2009

Men jailed for three robberies Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed (left) and Eric Kofi Oware

Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed (left) and Eric Kofi Oware

Two Leicester men have been sentenced to a total of over 13 years in prison for a series of robberies across Leicestershire in July last year.

44-year-old Eric Kofi Oware of Billington Close in Leicester pleaded guilty on February 19 to three robberies, one attempted robbery and three counts of possessing an imitation firearm. He was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday March 17) at Leicester Crown Court to nine years in prison.

His co-accused 20-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed of Pitchens Close in Leicester had previously pleaded guilty on August 18, 2008, to three robberies, one attempted robbery and two counts of possessing an imitation firearm. He was also sentenced at Leicester Crown Court yesterday to four and a half years in prison.

The first robbery occurred on Wednesday July 23 2008 at the Co-Op supermarket in Meadow Lane in Coalville. Oware entered the store and threatened the cashier by pointing an imitation gun at them. He left the scene empty handed.

The second robbery occurred in the early hours of the following day, Thursday July 24, at the Elm Park Service Station in Leicester Road, Loughborough. Oware and Mohammed entered the service station carrying imitation firearms wrapped in plastic bags. Mohammed stayed at the door while Oware approached the counter and threatened a member of staff by pointing the gun at them, ordering them to open the till. They escaped with a quantity of alcohol and cigarettes.

On July 29, Oware and Mohammed carried out a third robbery at William Hill bookmakers in Charles Street in Leicester. Mohammed entered the premises and pointed an imitation firearm wrapped in a plastic bag at two members of staff. He escaped with £280 cash.

Fortunately no one was injured in any of the incidents.

Detective Sergeant Nicole Main said: "These were terrifying ordeals for the members of staff who were confronted in each of these robberies. They did not know that the firearm which they were being threatened with was an imitation and were understandably left very distressed by what happened.

"We welcome these sentences as it clearly shows that the courts take the safety of members of the public who work in these types of premises as seriously as we do."