Machete gang is caged

Machete gang is caged

May 7 2004

South London Press

A GANG of ruthless machetewielding robbers who terrorised their victims - including pensioners and a young child - have been jailed.

The vicious thugs, jailed for a total of 35 years, committed a string of violent raids on businesses and homes in April and May last year and in one robbery threatened to kill a young mum and her four-year-old son if she went to police.

Just days earlier during another house raid, brave victim David King, 64, was left with deep gashes to his arms and legs when he was slashed as he tried to protect his partner after the gang burst in during the middle of the night.

Kingston Crown Court heard how the gang led by sadistic thug Lee Sheehan, 34, burst into the young mum's Norwood house and beat her with a police baton and threw her four-year-old son to the ground before threatening him with a machete.

The gang fled with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, a DVD player and other electrical goods.

A few days earlier Sheehan raided the Norwood home of Annette Philips and David King, again wielding a 24-inch machete.

Kingston Crown Court heard how Sheehan forced his way into a computer warehouse in Kennington before brutally laying into the slightly-built nightwatchman.

Sheehan repeatedly punched his victim as he lay on the ground covered in blood before sneering: "Next time you'll remember to lock the main gate."

The men jumped into their van before driving at police officers who had walked in on the raid.

The gang managed to make their escape by smashing their way through the gates of the warehouse.

The night-time raid took place on May 9 last year.

Sheehan, of Mitcham, admitted four counts of robbery, one charge of conspiracy to rob and three counts of handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to 13 years on Tuesday.

Walker, of Streatham, admitted one count of robbery and was sentenced to seven years.

Paul Gray, 33, of West Norwood, admitted one count of conspiracy to rob and one of handling stolen goods. He was jailed for nine years.

Joanne Job, 37, of Clapham, admitted conspiracy to rob and handling stolen goods and was given five years.

Nadia Biressi, 37, of Norwood, admitted one count of handling stolen goods and was sentenced to 12 months.

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