Wednesday, 7 October 2009

Strangler-Mugger Locked-Up



A brutal mugger who prowled the trendy late-night streets of Battersea with a teenage accomplice, strangling female victims into unconsciousness during a two-month reign of terror, was caged for nine years.

Jobless Temman Dias, 25, of Bowstead Court, Surrey Lane, Battersea was convicted at Kingston Crown Court of seven robberies committed between July 25 and October 3, last year.

A 17-year-old Mitcham, Surrey, youth was locked-up for five years on the same charges.

Wandsworth CID’s Robbery Squad arrested the pair after investigating a series of disturbing attacks on lone women approached from behind and strangled to the point of collapse and valuables snatched.

Police swooped on Dias’s (pictured) address after the final attack on a 30 year-old woman, arresting him, his accomplice and seizing the victim’s property, including a distinctive pair of pink gloves.

Detective Inspector Matt Phelps of Wandsworth CID said: "This has been a protracted, complex investigation and trial.

“I would like to praise the victims who not only had to endure the original offences but also the frustration of the two previous attempts at prosecution. It meant they had to give evidence three times.

"These two men used unnecessary violence against vulnerable victims and people in Wandsworth will be glad to see they have been captured and convicted."

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