East London Teenagers Armed With Knives And A Firearm Sentenced To More Than 34 Years Imprisonment After Southend Rampage.

Last year, teenagers from east London took to the beaches of Southend to bring violence. Instead of enjoying a day on the beach in the sun, youths went armed with knives and guns, bringing chaos to the Essex town.

Ten teenagers have now been sentenced for their parts in the violent disorder they brought to the streets of Southend.

On July 30 last year, officers responded within minutes of reports of people with weapons on the seafront, swiftly arresting several men and boys aged between 14 and 18.

They were spotted earlier in the evening on CCTV, gathering in side streets in the city centre and away from the public, before coming together and leaving at least two with serious injuries which required hospital treatment.

Over the following days and months more arrests followed, with dozens of officers gathering the evidence that has seen 10 people plead guilty to violent disorder and weapons offences.

The prosecuting case was presented at Basildon crown Court by Greg Wedge and Satya Chotalia 187 Chambers.

Over the course of a two-day hearing on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 July, they received the following sentences:

• Tyler Omo-Irogho, 19, of Clarendon Road in Watford, admitted assaulting an emergency worker, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was 18 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.
• Michael King, 18, of Crescent Road in South Woodford, admitted violent disorder and conspire to commit GBH. He was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison.
• Mekai Brown, 19, of Higham Road in Woodford Green, admitted violent disorder and conspire to commit GBH. He was 18 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.
• Lucas Braga, 18, from Pitchford Street in Stratford, has admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was 17 at the time of the offence. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
• Isaac Bello, 18, of Prospect Road in Woodford Green, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was 17 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
• Hamza Dinbil, 18, of Corporation Street in Stratford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was 17 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison.
• A 17-year-old boy from London admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit GBH, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. He was 16 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison.
• A 17-year-old boy from London has been charged with violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was 16 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to a referral order, to be decided upon in Youth Court on a date to be determined.
• A 17-year-old boy from Basildon has been charged with violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was 16 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to a 20-month Detention and Training Order.
• A 15-year-old boy from Pitsea admitted violent disorder, conspire to commit GBH and possession of an offensive weapon. He was 14 at the time of the offences. He was sentenced to a Detention and Training Order of 18 months.

Speaking at sentencing, Her Honour Judge Samantha Cohen said:

“There were a number of officers involved in this case who I would like to commend personally.
“Investigation Officer Gemma Gibson and CCTV Evidence Officer Sarah Wyard, who coordinated the CCTV produced in this case and identified and tracked all of those involved from the footage respectively.
“And Detective Sergeant Mike Ferguson and Detective Constable Tracey Scorah, who have led the investigation and have conducted themselves in such a way that it deserves special recognition.”

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