A man was sentenced to prison after robbing a man he met on a dating website in Hackney. Ashley Jackson, 19, of Barbauld Road, N16, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for robbery and six months for being in possession of a knife at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 10 January. Sentences must run in parallel. On December 15, Jackson pleaded guilty in the same court. On Friday, November 11, 2022, Jackson scheduled a meeting with a man in his forties whom he met on a dating website. After meeting at an address in the E1 district and spending some time together, Jackson pulled a knife from his sleeve and threatened the victim, demanding money. Jackson demanded £180 from the victim before hailing a taxi and fleeing. Jackson was arrested on Tuesday, November 15th, following an investigation by detectives from the Met’s Central East Command Unit. “The effects of becoming a victim of robbery, particularly where there is a threat of violence, run far deeper than a loss of cash or property – they can be traumatic and long-lasting,” said investigating officer Detective Constable Alex O’Sullivan. “Jackson has now been removed from the community, where he can no longer victimise the general public. I sincerely hope that this gives the victim the feeling that justice has been done.” + Do you know anyone who is carrying a knife, dealing drugs, exploiting children, or involved in criminal activity? If you have information that could assist in keeping your community safe but do not want to speak with the police, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111. They do not ask for your name and are unable to trace your call or IP address. Any young people with information about violence or knife crime can go to www.fearless.org and submit it anonymously – your IP address will not be traced. Fearless is affiliated with the Crimestoppers charity and is not affiliated with the police.
