Two men sentenced for violent robbery spree in Central London

Two men were today sentenced to 17 years apiece for a series of violent offences including robbery and serious knife attacks on members of the public.

Tyrone Dean, 24, and Louis Parkinson, 26, who appeared at Inner London Crown Court today, were each sentenced to 17 years for violently attacking people in the street and snatching mobile phones, causing grievous bodily harm with intent by stabbing, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a Class B drug.

On the morning of 6 October 2022, Dean and Parkinson embarked on a brazen spree, riding around London on a bicycle and targeting people carrying their mobile phones in their hands. They began in Fitzrovia where they were challenged by brave bystanders who tried to stop them escaping. The defendants savagely attacked them, using a knife to inflict stab wounds and cuts.

An extensive CCTV trawl showed the two men then travelled from Fitzrovia, by bicycle, to Regent Street and through the West End to the City of London. They took a circuitous route around popular areas because they were looking for other people to rob.

They struck again in Bishopsgate robbing another man of his mobile phone. Several passers-by who saw the incidents, were severely injured as they tried to intervene. Three people suffered life-altering injuries including permanent damage to nerves and tendons in the arm, a punctured lung and a long knife wound to the face.

Anita Arora District Crown Prosecutor from the CPS, said, “These defendants carried out brazen and frightening attacks on members of the public in broad daylight.

“Their conduct was as violent as it was vicious and today, they have been brought to justice and sentenced to a significant number of years behind bars.

“The harmful impact of their actions has been immeasurable, and I would like to commend the incredible bravery of the members of the public who tried to intervene and stop these dangerous men.”