A gang of wannabe villains who reveled in their own self-aggrandising notoriety – posting Internet rap videos of their criminal exploits – are now beginning well-deserved jail sentences.
Calling themselves the ‘Night Crawlers’ they posted YouTube videos under the name 'NC Bangers' starring members boasting about break-ins and thefts hailing themselves 'notorius criminals' who would never be caught.
Gang leader Matthew ‘Taze’ Murtagh, 20, (pic.top l.) of Brighton Road, Croydon taunted investigating police with cocky mobile phone messages like: “You’ll never find me” and “I’ll be celebrating Xmas with my Mates.”
He was forced to swallow those boasts when arrested on December 23, last year hiding out in a local B&B.
He received three years for conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and handling stolen goods, plus another two months for a separate assault.
Michael Hunte, 19, (pic.top mid.) of Old Lodge Lane, Kenley, Croydon, was jailed for 28 months for conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, plus two months for the assault with Murtagh.
Lee ‘Joops’ I'Anson, 20, (pic.top r.) of Haling Park Road, Croydon, dodged jail for handling property stolen by the gang.
Kevin ‘Spoils’ McBarron, 20, (pic.bottom l.) of Eldridge Road, Croydon, received 18 months for handling stolen goods, including two Mercedes.
Daryl ‘Dozey’ Axten, 20, (pic.bottom mid.) of Caterham Drive, Coulsdon, received 12 months for two burglaries.
Christopher Brookes, 19, of Court Road, Caterham, Surrey received 12 months for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
The gang's criminal spree in Croydon was so prolific the burglary rate in the borough plummeted after they were picked up by police.
Croydon Crown Court heard they targeted residential homes, often swooping late at night while the residents were fast asleep.
The high performance cars they focused on stealing were frequently seized with their keys, which allowed the vehicles to be sold on or potentially used in other crimes.
The proactive operation to arrest and prosecute the gang was carried out by the London Crime Squad, (LCS) with assistance from Croydon borough officers.
The victim impact statements submitted to court showed that some of them are still coping with the trauma caused by the gang's activities.
One victim, a mother, has been caused such anxiety and is so fearful for the family's safety she is afraid to stay alone in her own house at night.
Her husband's statement concluded: “Our quality of life has considerably diminished since this burglary.”
Another victim told in his statement of the extent of the strain placed on his family.
His wife still cannot sleep and is extremely anxious about being away from her home after dark, having previously been very independent.
His young son is also now markedly more withdrawn.
“These sentences demonstrate the Met's commitment to tackling these offences,” said Detective Inspector Lee Hill of the LCS.
“Burglary is a heinous crime, which can have a devastating impact on its victims.
“Those responsible should be in no doubt of our resolve to arrest them and bring them to justice.
"The London Crime Squad will continue to disrupt those criminal networks involved in serious acquisitive crime, through intelligence-led policing operations.
“I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank officers from Croydon borough for their commitment and dedication throughout this operation.”
croyden? what happened to the square mile? someone stole your idea and is asking people to Twitter him and
ReplyDeleteblah blah blah. He's using your title. Todd was thrown off the roof by the roofers so has to go in the ambulance and probably get the pins in leg treatment as Ollie did.