Gang Sentenced for Brutal Street Robbery on Off-Duty Cop
Five men were handed hefty prison sentences at Harrow Crown Court following a savage robbery and violent disorder attack on an off-duty police officer in Rayners Lane, Harrow. The violent gang targeted the victim in the early hours of 17 November 2019, leaving him seriously injured and stealing his valuables, including his police warrant card.
Jail Terms for the Mob
- Rodney Abrokwa, 31, Enfield – 4 years 6 months
- Christian Bangisa, 29, Southwark – 4 years 1 month
- Daniel Agyeman, 30, Croydon – 5 years
- Iraawoosan Alba, 31, Dagenham – 6 years
- Shariff Fussaini, 29, Westcliff-on-Sea – 5 years
All pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Abrokwa and Bangisa also admitted robbery, while the other three were found guilty at trial.
Harrow Horror: Gang Attack Caught on CCTV
The off-duty officer had noticed two men watching him earlier that night at a bar. As he left around 3am, one thug grabbed him from behind and dragged him onto the pavement. About 12 attackers then swarmed, smashing a glass bottle on his arm and snatching his chain. Another punched him repeatedly until he handed over his watch.
The victim’s friend tried to intervene but was brutally punched, suffering a broken nose and fractured jaw. To make matters worse, a stranger who stepped in was knocked unconscious and robbed while lying in the road.
CCTV footage showed Daniel Agyeman rifling through the unconscious man’s pockets looking for loot. As a fourth man tried to escape, the gang attacked him too, but he got away unhurt.
Off-Duty Officer Left Shaken and Injured
The victim, a serving police officer, suffered bruising to his ribs, back, and shoulders and had to be hospitalised. After the attack, he rushed to a police station and reported the crime. His stolen items included bank cards, driving licence, Oyster card, and his warrant card — which revealed his identity to the gang and led to more violence.
Police painstakingly pieced together hours of CCTV and phone data, linking the suspects to the crime scene. Vehicle sightings and mobile phone records sealed their fate.
Investigation and Arrests
On 26 and 27 February 2020, police raided four addresses, arresting Abrokwa, Bangisa, Agyeman, Alba, and Fussaini. Officers found clothes matching those worn during the robbery.
Detective Inspector Gavin Collins, who led the probe, said: “The CCTV shows these men committing a chaotic, brutal and sustained attack. They only wanted to steal a valuable watch but caused serious harm to victims and bystanders. Their arrogance and disregard was clear as they kept assaulting the victim, even after discovering he was a police officer.”
“I hope these sentences offer some reassurance to the victims and witnesses. The Met and the justice system will not tolerate violence, especially against emergency workers risking their lives for us all.”
