Knifepoint robbery ringleader jailed for eight years following two-day crime spree – London

A thug who spearheaded a series of knifepoint robberies on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network has been jailed for eight years following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Three other males, aged 17 to 21, have also been sentenced for their roles in the September 2020 crime spree.

Tyreese Ulysses, 20, and of Mineral Street, London, pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and four counts of possessing a knife in a public place. On 8 July a judge at Inner London Crown Court sentenced him to eight years imprisonment.

Jamal Wilson, 21, and of Wood Vale, London, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and one count of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. On 7 July a judge at Inner London Crown Court sentenced him to a total of 34 months imprisonment.

Two other males, both aged 17, who can’t be named for legal reasons were also sentenced.

The first pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and was sentenced to a three-month rehabilitation order at youth court.

The second pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced to a one-year rehabilitation order at youth court.

Across 1 September and 17 September 2020, Ulysses, Wilson and two teenagers committed six knifepoint robberies between them on-board DLR services in East London.

One each occasion they approached victims on the train, pulled out a knife or a machete and demanded possessions from them.

They were able to rob multiple phones, a wallet and a Gucci bag. During a knifepoint robbery on 17 September one of the teenagers also snatched a phone from a passenger and ran away.

After the incidents were reported to BTP, detectives launched an investigation to trace and arrest the group.

One of the teenagers and Ulyesses were arrested in September 2020, the second teenager in October and Wilson in December.

Following Wilson’s arrest for his part in the robberies, detectives analysed his two mobile phones and discovered more than 200 messages referencing drug supply. He was further arrested for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

BTP Detective Constable, Chris Pretty, said: “This was a petrifying experience for all the victims who were subjected to the group’s despicable spate of robberies.

“Ulyesses and Wilson are opportunist criminals that aren’t fit to be in our community – I’m thankful to the courts for handing them adequately strong sentences behind bars.

“I would also like to thank the victims, the public and our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service for assisting our investigation, allowing us to trace and arrest the culprits quickly.

“We’re patrolling the network in London and across the UK round the clock to crack down on knife crime. Crimes of this nature will never be tolerated, and we’re devoted to removing dangerous weapons from the railway.”

Tyreese Ulysses (left) and Jamal Wilson (right).