Gang of hammer-wielding thugs who terrorised London's plush Hampstead on mopeds jailed
A GANG of hammer-wielding thugs who terrorised residents of one of London's wealthiest areas while on mopeds have been jailed for a total of 23 years.
The three men terrified their victims into handing over designer jewellery, handbags and other valuable items while dressing in black and wearing balaclavas, scarves and helmets.
Using motorised scooters with stolen number plates, the men attacked their victims within three miles of the capital's plush Hampstead in May, June and July last year.
They stole items such as Rolex and Cartier watches, rings worth thousands of pounds, cash, and mobile phones.
Corrie Moroney, 23, of Tufnell Park, north London, Alan Fitzgerald, 20 and Ellis Parkinson, 21, of Holloway, north London, were convicted of conspiracy to robbery in relation to 12 crimes.
A 57-year-old businessman was jumped by the gang in the gated driveway of his £2 million home in Platt's Lane, Hampstead.
The victim fought back - armed only with a broom - but his £24,000 watch and a gold chain were snatched.
The gang also smashed the windows of a car near a park as two parents put their children, aged four and seven, inside.
The children's mother said the £24,000 watch she was forced to hand over had been a gift from a sister-in-law who later died from breast cancer.
They will never forget what happened to them.
Moroney, who was involved in all 12 incidents, was jailed for 10 years for the attacks, as well as being given an extra year for a separate case where he fractured a man's cheekbone while in a betting shop.
Parkinson was jailed for eight years for taking part in seven incidents, while Fitzgerald, who was involved in the final robbery, was given four years in a Young Offender's Institution.
Blackfriars Crown Court heard the gang selected their victims because they had designer items and expensive jewellery.
Judge David Richardson said the trio had been responsible for a "campaign of robbery" which had "life changing" consequences for its victims.
He said: "They will never forget what happened to them."
The gang's crimes were brought to an end by officers from the Met Police's Flying Squad, who studied CCTV footage and pulled together witness reports to identify the three suspects before mounting a surveillance operation.
Undercover police followed them after they ambushed a woman in nearby St John's Wood, stealing her watch and handbag, on June 20.
