BOY ‘TOOK PART IN ROBBERY TO GAIN RESPECT’
A 16-year-old boy took part in an armed robbery on a corner shop to get ‘respect’ from youths in his area, a court heard today (Mon).
Terrified shopkeepers Jeyakanthan Swamani and Anil Tippo cowered behind the counter as a pack of hooded youths raided their store, Inner London Crown Court was told.
The seven teenagers brandished a replica handgun at the two men before fleeing with cash, cigarettes and alcohol worth £365.
Two 17-year-old boys, one of whom was just 16 at the time, now face trial accused of robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.
Following his arrest, the younger of the pair allegedly told detectives he took part in the raid ‘for bravado – so he wouldn’t lose face or lose respect with these boys on the estate’.
The robbery took place at around 6pm on February 25 this year at Central Hill Food & Wine in Hawke Road, Norwood, south London.
Paul Rattigan, prosecuting, said CCTV footage of the attack showed the gang ‘helping themselves to the loot, and cramming as much into their pockets as they can.’
‘It’s like a frenzy,’ he said.
‘They knew they had to get in and get out as fast as possible just incase the police turned up – it was clearly a smash-and-grab robbery.’
The cameras captured the younger boy stuffing his bag with cigarettes and bottles of alcohol, it was said.
The 17-year-old co-defendant is allegedly shown speaking to the gang’s lookout before taking cash from the till.
Following his arrest on March 3, the older boy claimed he ‘stumbled’ into the robbery, did not know those involved, and had not even noticed a the gun being waved around.
He later changed his story and told detectives staff had previously short-changed him after he paid with a £50 note, so ‘that’s why he helped himself the way he did,’ the court heard.
On March 25 the 16-year-old was arrested and told police he had just finished football practice and thought his older co-accused was going to buy him cigarettes from the store.
Mr Rattigan said: ‘He accompanied him to the area and, unbeknown to him, these other youngsters were present and it all went from there.
‘He did it for respect because if he didn’t he would be laughed at.’
‘He said he knew he was going in there to steal – in the full knowledge that a dishonest act was going to happen.’
The younger boy, of Norwood, south London, and his co-defendant, of Streatham, south London, deny robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
The 17-year-old admits a third charge of stealing cash from the shop.
The trial continues.
ends
