Crime Desk

Six people have been sentenced to a total of 36 years' imprisonment at the Inner London Crown Court after a string of armed robberies on travel agents.

Geosi Mata Mafuta, 21 (10.10.89) of Sancroft Street, SE11; Gabriel Shodunke, 20 (25.01.90) of Dorset Road, SW8; Michael Akuoko, 19 (30.08.91) of Camberwell New Road, SE5; Kingsley Oloukon, 21 (7.09.89) of Richbourne Terrace, SW8 and two 17-year-old boys were all charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery following a surveillance operation by the Flying Squad.

Shodunke was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He was further sentenced to three years imprisonment for possession of a firearm 12 months for the theft of a car used in the robberies and another two years for possession of a firearm found in the stolen car. All to be served concurrently.

Mafuta was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and another three years for possession of a firearm to be served concurrently.

Akuoko was sentenced to seven years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and three years for possession of a firearm to be served concurrently.

Oloukon was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and three years for possession of a firearm. To be served concurrently.

One 17-year old was sentenced to four years imprisonment for a robbery in Thomson Travel Agents, Hornchurch and three years for possession of a firearm. To be served concurrently.

The other 17-year old was sentenced to an 18 month detention and training order for a robbery in Thomson Travel Agents, Hornchurch and an 18 month detention and training order for possession of a firearm.

The Flying Squad began an investigation following a number of armed robberies at Thomson and Thomas Cook travel agents. The group had committed a total of 14 armed robberies at various locations around south and east London and in Liverpool, Hertfordshire and Surrey between 19 January and 10 May.

A surveillance operation was set up and on Monday 10 May the group were followed in a minicab to Hornchurch, RM11. The two 17-year-old boys were seen to enter a Thomson Travel on Hornchurch High Street. Mafuta and Shodunke walked further up Hornchurch High Street while Michael Akuoko remained in the minicab.

Using a handgun the boys forced members of staff from Thomson Travel to open the Bureau de Change and they made off with cash from the till.

The two 17-year-olds left the area in the minicab with Akuoko. A short while after the minicab pulled over and a rucksack that had the stolen money in was put on the ground as there was smoke coming from it where the cash dye pack had been activated.

At this point armed Flying Squad officers moved in and Akuoko and the two boys were arrested. Also found in the minicab were balaclavas, clothing and the gun that had been used to commit the robbery.

Soon after armed officers arrested Mafuta and Shodunke at a restaurant in Hornchurch High Street.

Kingsley Oloukun was arrested later into the enquiry on Tuesday 17 August after he was identified from CCTV images for offences at four Thomas Cook and Thomson Travel Agents in April and May 2010.

All six pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to conspiracy to commit armed robberies on travel agents.

Detective Constable, Mark Murdoch, from the Flying Squad, said: "These young men thought nothing of using a firearm to influence their demands and terrify and intimidate people doing their jobs.

"These offences involved high levels of violence and threats with firearms and caused the employees of the travel agents great fear for their safety which resulted in a number of the staff receiving counselling to help them through what have been particularly traumatic events.

"I would like to thank the travel agents who have assisted us in our investigation, the professionalism of the staff has helped us secure a conviction against this group.

"These young men will now have some time to contemplate their actions, in prison."