A brutal knife-wielding mugger, whose late-night reign of terror claimed the life of a Knightsbridge store boss – stabbed through the heart yards from his front door – was caged for a minimum of thirty years today (Monday).
Andrew Pratt, 43, of Southwell Road, Camberwell, South-East London, appointed permanent manager of Sloane Street’s Emilio Pucci boutique – part of the Louis Vitton group - the day before, was walking home carrying a Gucci bag when targeted in nearby Northlands Street, on August 2, last year.
Jobless crack and heroin addict Errol Clarke, 44, of Rutford Road, Streatham, had recently been freed from a five-year sentence for a mugging a 64 year-old woman, and killed Mr. Pratt when he resisted.
Gay Mr. Pratt (pictured) was the youngest of five sons and his 75 year-old widowed mother Yvonne was informed of his death at her Norwich home.
“Andrew Pratt was 43 years-old when he met his untimely death,” Judge Roger Chapple told Clarke at Inner London Crown Court, sentencing him to life with a thirty year minimum recommendation.
“I have been deeply moved by the statements I have read from those that knew him, talking of his easy charm, great sense of humour, style. A kind, funny man with a zest for life who enriched the lives of those that knew him.
“He was very successful in life, in his chosen career and was appointed store manger on August 1, the day before he was murdered. His death is a terrible tragedy.”
Dreadlocked Clarke, trapped by mobile phone records and a positive id, pleaded guilty to murdering Mr. Pratt on August 2 and robbing two other men on June 8 and July 28, and attempting to rob another on August 4.
“He collapsed virtually outside his front door, fatally wounded, still holding his wallet and phone,” prosecutor Mr. Aftab Jaferjee QC told the court.
“His courageous refusal to submit to this attack cost him his life,” added the QC. “He was yet another blameless human being preyed upon by Errol Clarke. He did not stand a chance. He was stabbed in the heart and above the groin.”
Witnesses reported seeing the hooded attacker rifle through Mr. Pratt’s pockets as he lay bleeding to death from a single stab wound at 10.45pm. He was pronounced dead an hour and a half later at Kings College Hospital.
“This was a serial robber who preyed on four targets in two months during summer, 2008,” explained Mr. Jaferjee.
“He was always armed with a knife with a substantial blade and his victims were either cut or stabbed and one was stabbed yards from his front door.
“This defendant is a vicious predator.”
An eyewitness heard a “loud pained scream” the night Mr. Pratt was stabbed, added the prosecutor.
Outside Clarke was seen standing over the bleeding victim who was crying, “help me, help me,” as his attacker then jogged away.
The court heard a victim impact statement from Mr. Pratt’s brother Christopher, who ironically recalled a prophetic family alert.
“Mum had warned him to be careful after a spate of knife crimes,” adding,” We know Andy had a full life, but he should have had more.”
Clarke was living with drug-addict pals in Longman Grove, Camberwell, at the time of his mugging spree and routinely armed himself with a kitchen knife before hunting for victims late at night.
He boasted of his crimes – he was charged with eight further similar robberies – and the fear he put victims in, picking on lone pedestrians and drunks.
His June 8 victim, returning to his home in Newark House, Camberwell, tried to fight knife-wielding Clarke off with his suitcase, before his wallet and phone was snatched.
On July 28 a lone Chinese man in nearby Rush Green was stabbed in the stomach by Clarke for only having a little over £3.00 in loose change.
On August 4 a late-night shopper was left with wounds to his chest and hands after Clarke attacked him on his doorstep in Shakespeare Road, Herne Hill, again demanding cash.
He has three convictions for carrying knives, receiving community penalties twice and a fourteen-day jail term.
Clarke, who had a £60 per day drug habit, only pleaded guilty on day one of his trail after learning an employee at the ex-offenders hostel he was living at after the crime spree would give evidence of his telephone confession to relatives.
Clarke’s QC Helena Kennedy, who read an open letter from her client to Mr. Pratt’s relatives in court said: “He says he thought Mr. Pratt was going to put up some kind of struggle and thrust the knife at him.
“He just wanted what cash people had to get his next fix. He is full of genuine remorse and self-loathing.”
Sentencing Clarke to three concurrent terms – not exceeding six years - for protection of the public on the two robberies and attempted robbery Judge Chapple told him: “You were a very dangerous man.
“One who would stop at nothing, even death, to get what you wanted.
“Your victims were random. Whoever had the misfortune to be alone and looked vulnerable would be a victim when you thought the time was right.
“It is plain you are a danger to the public.”
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