Three men who carried out a violent burglary at a family home in east London have been jailed following an ‘exceptional’ investigation by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 6 May, Anthony Lascelles, 34 (21.01.88) of Hitchin Close, RM3 was sentenced to 18 years with an extended licence period of five years. He had previously pleaded guilty to the robbery.
In November 2021, Christopher Sargent, 28 (20.09.93), of Macaulay Road, E6 pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to 15 years, with an extended licence period of five years.
Ajaypal Singh, 28 (01.02.94), of Banks Way, E12 was found guilty of robbery at a trial in November 2021. He had pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply and possession of a pointed/bladed article. In total, he was sentenced to 20 years, with an extended licence period of five years.
In her sentencing remarks, Her Honour Judge Lees commended Detective Constable Darren Warner for his “intelligent, honest and reasonable” approach to the investigation.
“It is clear to me that he is an outstanding officer of whom the MPS should be proud,” she added.
At around 21:30hrs on 1 May 2020, police were called to a residential property in Kerry Drive, Upminster. Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and found an 11-year-old boy who was in a serious condition with a gunshot wound.
A man, aged in his 40s, had also sustained stab wounds to his head.
They were both taken to hospital.
Detectives established that the man had opened the front door to a person who was later identified as Sargent. He had claimed to be a delivery driver and had left a parcel on the doorstep. As he bent down to collect the parcel, he was knocked to the ground by a group of men who forced entry to the property.
They demanded the homeowner hand over any money he had at the address and threatened to harm his 11-year-old son if the demands were not met.
During the incident, a shotgun that was legally held at the address was discharged, resulting in a gunshot wound to the 11-year-old child’s shoulder. Thankfully, the child’s injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing.
The group left the property with around £20,000 worth of jewellery and watches.
Officers from the Specialist Crime Command began enquiries to trace the men, including a review of number plate and mobile phone data from the area. They also recovered doorbell footage of the suspects who were later arrested and charged.
DC Darren Warner said: “This result is the conclusion of a complex investigation into a serious and violent crime that had a significant impact on the local community. It also left a family, including a young child, terrified.
“They will never be able to forget what happened to them that night.
“I am grateful to the members of the public who came forward to assist the investigation – in the Metropolitan Police we know that we are most effective when we police with the support of the public, working together to tackle those causing the most harm.”
