Knife-Wielding Docklands Light Railway Robbers Derailed

Tyreese Ulysses

Two Docklands Light Railway robbers, who terrorised commuters with knives and machetes while snatching phones and other personal property, have been locked-up.

Tyreese Ulysses, 20, of Mineral Street, Plumstead, pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and four counts of possessing a knife in a public place. 

At Inner London Crown Court he was sentenced to eight years custody.

Jamal Wilson, 21, of Wood Vale, Forest Hill pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and one count of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. 

At the same court he received thirty-four months custody.

Three other males, aged 17 to 21 years-old, have also been sentenced for their roles in the September 2020 crime spree.

Between September 1 and 17, 2020 Ulysses, Wilson and two teenagers committed six knifepoint robberies between them on-board DLR services in East London.

One each occasion they approached victims on the train, pulled out a knife or a machete and demanded possessions from them.

They were able to rob multiple phones, a wallet and a Gucci bag. 

During a knifepoint robbery on September 17 one of the teenagers also snatched a phone from a passenger and ran away.

Jamal Wilson

After the incidents were reported to the British Transport Police (BTP), detectives launched an investigation to trace and arrest the group.

Following Wilson’s arrest for his part in the robberies, detectives analysed his two mobile phones and discovered more than 200 messages referencing drug supply. 

He was further arrested for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

BTP Detective Constable Chris Pretty said: “This was a petrifying experience for all the victims, who were subjected to the group’s despicable spate of robberies.

“Ulysses and Wilson are opportunist criminals that aren’t fit to be in our community – I’m thankful to the courts for handing them adequately strong sentences behind bars.

“I would also like to thank the victims, the public and our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service for assisting our investigation, allowing us to trace and arrest the culprits quickly.

“We’re patrolling the network in London and across the UK round the clock to crack down on knife crime. Crimes of this nature will never be tolerated, and we’re devoted to removing dangerous weapons from the railway.”