Brothers Yohan and Yamani Clarke jailed for part in robbery in London, England

At Croydon crown court today, Wednesday 1 September, two brothers were sentenced for their part in a robbery which left a man fighting for his life.

Yohan Clarke, aged 31, unemployed, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at Croydon Crown Court on 6 July to:

– Conspiracy to rob.

– Possessing a firearm at the time of committing an offence.

– Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment on all counts to run concurrently with a minimum of 22 years.

On the same date Yohan’s 23-year old brother, Yamani Clarke, unemployed, of Crowther Road, SouthNorwood, pleaded guilty to handling the proceedings of the robbery.

He was sentenced to 40 months.

Proceedings against 28-year old Leigh Tipple, of Dahomey Road, London SW16 were discontinued today.

In his statement the judge, His Honour Judge N J Ainley, said Yohan posed a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public hence the gravity of the sentence.

On Thursday 17 September 2009 at about 19:40hrs, Yohan Clarke was one of five men who entered the Costco cash and carry store on Imperial Way in Croydon.

Inside the store, the men threatened staff and used a claw hammer to smash a triple glazed display cabinet containing £70,000 of jewellery – including a single 18 carat white gold ring valued at about £3,500.

Whilst being chased from the store by Costco employees one of the robbers fired a shot, hitting a 24-year old, male Costco employee in the abdomen.

The robber then waved the gun as if warning staff not to continue following them.

They then ran off across Purley Way and through some fields.

Police and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) arrived at the scene and the wounded employee was taken to hospital where he underwent emergency life saving surgery to remove cartridge from near his aorta.

He also suffered blast injuries to his colon, gun shot wounds to his bowel, stomach, pancreas and spent a substantial time in intensive care.

On 25 September 2009 officers in Redhill Surrey stopped a car containing Yohan Clarke. During a search of the vehicle officers found a digital camera.

Further analysis of the camera’s memory card revealed a number of photographs of the Clarke brothers posing with substantial amounts of cash and a ring which was identified as the ring taken during the Costco robbery.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad led the investigation.

Detective Inspector Neil Williams said: "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 enquiry 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.

"Enquiries 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."