‘Prolific’ moped robbers who targeted vulnerable people jailed

Mikelle Alexander, 21, from Sutton, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for 22 offences of robbery, attempted robbery, theft and theft of a motor vehicle.

And 20-year-old Karim Hussain from Romford received a 15-year sentence for 11 offences of robbery, theft from a motor vehicle and fraud by false representation. 

In one particularly violent attack, Alexander punched and kicked a man in his 50s before stabbing him over a bag that contained just a bible, Croydon Crown Court was told. 

The duo’s crimes took place between September and December 2017 in Croydon, Lambeth, Kingston, Sutton, Merton, and Hammersmith and Fulham.  

Hussain and Alexander carried out the robberies both together and separately using stolen mopeds. Elderly Asian victims were often targeted for their gold jewellery. 

On November 10 in south London, three separate lone females were targeted and pulled to the ground, sustaining fractures and internal injuries while their belongings were stolen. 

Following the robbery of a woman on September 28 in Croydon, Hussain’s ring was recovered from the scene and was forensically tested.  

Hussain was arrested on December 9 and charged. Alexander was arrested two days later then released under investigation. 

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Venice Investigation Team, which tackles scooter-enabled crime, began to piece together mobile phone evidence, CCTV footage and witness accounts that linked the two men to the crimes.  

Alexander was subsequently arrested again on January 31 and charged, while Hussain was charged with additional offences. 

Detective Inspector Steve Brownlee, from the Met’s Operation Venice Investigation Team, said: “This was a protracted and robust investigation which has seen two more prolific offenders convicted of a series of violent crimes. I would like to thank the members of the public who came forward. 

“I hope these lengthy sentences offer some measure of comfort for the victims involved and act as a warning to others that if you commit these offences you will be identified and arrested.” 

Prosecutor Nicholas Cooper added: “These offenders attacked vulnerable people – often women – and left their victims afraid to be in the neighbourhoods they had lived in for years. They hunted people down and made a sport of it. 

“This dedicated police work excelled and the jury’s findings of guilt reflect that. All these officers worked tirelessly and the resulting convictions are thanks to that invaluable commitment.”