A man who committed an armed robbery and subsequently photographed himself with wads of cash and a diamond ring following a violent raid was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday.
Brothers Yohan and Yamani Clarke posed for photographs after their violent heist carried out at a cash and carry in which one man was shot in the stomach. The crime took place on the evening of 17th September 2009 at a Costco cash and carry shop on Imperial Way in Croydon.
Yohan, who had escaped and fled from the store with several bundles of monetary notes and an 18 carat white gold ring, was captured by police when they caught up with him and discovered a camera holding the incriminating images.
The sentence was issued at Croydon Crown Court, where Judge Nicholas Ainley stated that the 31-year-old posed a significant risk to the public, therefore ordering him to serve a minimum of 10 years in prison.
At around 7.40pm that September evening, the brothers entered the shop aggressively and threatened staff. Using a claw hammer, they broke a thick glass display cabinet which held £70,000 worth of jewellery - including the single 18 carat white gold ring which they took, valued at £3,500.
Soon afterwards a gun shot was fired as brave employees chased the robbers from the store, causing a 24-year-old to be hit in the abdomen. The Costco employee later required emergency surgery to remove a cartridge from near his aorta. He also suffered shot wounds to his colon, bowel, stomach and pancreas.
Police officers finally caught up with Yohan several days after the raid when they stopped and searched a car in Redhill, Surrey. This revealed a digital camera containing a number of snaps of the Clarke brothers posing with bundles of cash, and the ring which was identified as the stolen item.
In court on 6th July, Yohan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, possessing a firearm at the time of committing an offence and grievous bodily harm with intent.
His 23-year-old brother, Yamani, admitted to handling the plans of the robbery and was sentenced to a 40-month prison term.
The Metropolitan Police’s Detective Inspector Neil Williams praise the employees of Costco for their bravery and commented:
''I am pleased with today's sentences and pleased that a dangerous criminal will be spending a substantial amount of time away from the public.
''This incident could have easily turned into a murder inquiry and whilst we always encourage people to dial 999 in an emergency, I applaud the bravery of staff in Costco who intervened on that day and helped to give first aid.
''Inquiries to trace the three outstanding suspects and various items of jewellery continue and I am appealing to anyone who may have information that could help us to contact the police and ensure that all of the violent individuals involved in the robbery are brought to justice.''