WOODFORD GREEN: Brothers guilty of robbery on teenage boy (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WOODFORD GREEN: Brothers guilty of robbery on teenage boy

2:18pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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A PAIR of brothers have been found guilty of robbery after attacking a teenage boy and stealing just £1 and a condom.

Mohammed Ashraf Ali, 22, and Mohammed Rezwan Ali, 20, both of Homerton High Street, were found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court of the robbery, which took place in Woodford Green in May 2008.

They denied taking part in the attack, which saw a 17-year-old boy forced up against a wall in Chelmsford Road, before being “jostled and threatened” as his pockets were searched.

Both brothers claimed they tried to diffuse the situation, telling other members of a four-strong gang to “leave it” and “forget it”.

They admitted being present as the robbery was carried out.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how the victim was surrounded by the gang as one of them threatened to “get his fists out”.

Mohammed Ashraf Ali said he kept his distance from the group throughout the attack and only remained as he did not want to leave without his brother.

He also claimed he did not even know a robbery had taken place until he was interviewed by police the following day.

A third man, Abu Hanifa, 19, of Holmbury View, Hackney, has been found not guilty.

Two other members of the group, Mohammed Tai, 18, of Fellows Court, Hackney, and Shabir Chowdhury, 19, of Oak Hill Gardens, Woodford Green, have already pleaded guilty to robbery.

Police were led back a group of Asian youths including the Ali brothers after the victim was able to describe a distinctive orange t-shirt worn by Tai.

The brothers will appear again for sentence at Snaresbrook on Wednesday.