CCTV footage of Leon Young committing an armed robbery

Man jailed after committed five armed robberies in a month in Ilford and Dagenham

Saturday, September 8, 2012
5:41 PM

A man who went on an armed crime spree in Ilford and Dagenham has been jailed for 14 years.

Leon Young, 24, was jailed for 14 years at Chelmsford Crown Court for five armed robberies and an aggravated burglary

Leon Young, 24, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday for five armed robberies committed during January,

He was arrested in February by detectives from the Met Police’s flying squad.

Young targeted convenience stores and threatened staff with a firearm in each of his raids, taking a total of about £4,000 in cash.

He pleaded guilty to the five offences and was also convicted by a jury of an aggravated burglary in Harlow, Essex, which took place in December.

He was told he would serve eight years for the robbery and firearm offences and six years for aggravated burglary.

Det Sgt Scott Chimes, of the flying squad, said: “I would like to thank the victims and witnesses for the courage they displayed in assisting in this protracted investigation.

“Young has never personally showed any remorse for the frightening crimes he committed during December to January.

“The sentence passed by Recorder Laird QC sends out a clear deterrent message to those considering committing similar offences.

“I would like to assure businesses and the public within London that the flying squad will continue to seek out and arrest those engaged in such serious crimes and bring them to justice”.