A man has been put behind bars for a robbery in Soho after Metropolitan detectives uncovered vital DNA and CCTV evidence linking him to the crime.
Omed Azizi (pictured above), aged 31, residing at Hargrave Drive in Harrow, received a significant prison sentence of six years and nine months on Monday, September 18, at Southwark Crown Court. Azizi had previously admitted to the robbery during a court appearance on July 3.
Detective Constable Harriet Barby, who spearheaded the investigation, condemned Azizi's actions, labeling him as a dangerous offender.
Azizi had targeted a young man enjoying a night out with friends in Soho, and such unprovoked and violent attacks are deemed intolerable. The lasting impact on victims can be immense, and Barby expressed hope that the sentence would bring some semblance of justice to the victim and their family.
Barby also emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to tackle robbery in London communities and ensure the safety of its residents.
The incident unfolded just after 4:00 AM on Sunday, April 30, when police responded to a call from a hotel in Richmond Mews, reporting an injured man in the reception area. The victim, a man in his 20s, had evidently suffered an assault.
Although he initially declined medical attention, officers arranged to take him home.
The victim, who had been out with friends in Soho that night, had no recollection of the events leading to his injuries. An investigation was initiated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Detectives retrieved CCTV footage from the vicinity around the hotel, revealing that the victim had been violently assaulted by two individuals in Richmond Mews before they fled the scene. The assailants had lured the victim to a secluded cul-de-sac, where they assaulted him, stole his Rolex watch, three designer bracelets, phone, bank cards, and other jewelry.
Despite the CCTV footage, the faces of the assailants remained unclear. Additional inquiries were necessary to identify them.
Detectives traced the movements of the two men before the attack and found footage of one of them inhaling a balloon as he moved through Soho, leading the victim to the assault location.
Further analysis of the CCTV showed this man inhaling the balloon just before the assault occurred, and the discarded balloon was later discovered by detectives at the crime scene. The balloon was subjected to forensic testing, which revealed Azizi's DNA, leading to his identification as a suspect.
Examination of phone records indicated that the victim's phone had been used at a hotel in Marylebone in the hours following the attack. Azizi was subsequently arrested and charged with robbery, ultimately pleading guilty due to the overwhelming evidence against him.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Ware from the Central West BCU, who was present at the sentencing hearing, emphasized the complexity of the investigation and warned potential offenders that law enforcement would spare no effort to identify and bring them to justice.
However, despite extensive efforts, the other assailant remains unidentified. The authorities have released the two images below of this individual, urging anyone with information to contact 101 and reference 6530451/23.
Images of the unidentified suspect
In another incident back in June, a man committed a violent robbery, stealing an expensive Ј80,000 watch and causing harm to a baby. Now, he's facing the consequences as he has been sentenced to four years in prison. See detailed story
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