Ilford teenagers admit sparking police chase after stealing cannabis armed with sledgehammers

Anthony McCormick and Christian Paul, both of Ilford and Imran Joseph, all 19, armed themselves with sledgehammers, dumb bells and a knife before targeting a property in Manor Park at around 2am on October 10.

An eagle-eyed witness spotted them throwing bags of cannabis out of the property and then followed them as they tried to make their escape in a stolen Vauxhall Astra, with McCormick at the wheel.

A police chase then ensued through Dersingham Avenue, Chesterford Road and High Street North, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

James Benson, prosecuting, said the vehicle was “driven dangerously” before it was stopped by officers.

Following the pursuit, police found three sledgehammers and a dumb bell in the car, with the knife on the floor near the front passenger seat.

McCormick and Joseph were both due to stand trial, but changed their pleas to guilty at the last minute.

McCormick admitted aggravated vehicle taking and possession of class B drugs, while a charge of going equipped for burglary was laid on file.

Joseph admitted being a passenger in a stolen vehicle, possessing class B drugs and going equipped for burglary.

Paul did not attend court, having previously pleaded guilty to being a passenger in a stolen car, possessing class B drugs and going equipped for burglary at an earlier hearing.

An additional charge of having a bladed article in High Street North was laid on file for all three teenagers.

Paul, of Empress Avenue; Joseph, of Stanley Avenue, Romford and McCormack, of Goddards Way, will all be sentenced on May 18.