Thug Commits 13 Crimes in 20 Minutes – Armed Robbery Mayhem in Leeds
Marlon Stewart went on a terrifying crime spree in just 20 minutes on the evening of July 19 last year. Starting with a bottle of vodka from a corner shop near Chapel Allerton Park, Stewart then brandished a handgun and robbed two 19-year-olds of their mobile phones in the park.
Masked Robber Takes Over Shops with Fake Gun
At 8.06pm, Stewart, his face masked and clutching the vodka bottle, stormed into the Premier shop on Lidgett Lane. He threatened the shop worker with what looked like a handgun and forced him to open the till. A woman customer walked in during the chaos and Stewart demanded her car keys at gunpoint.
The staff member bravely escaped as Stewart grabbed cash from the till. He then fled in the victim’s white Audi A1.
Shop Worker Risks Life to Stop Armed Robber
Minutes later, Stewart struck again at the One Stop store on Chandos Gardens. Masked and armed, he terrified a female staff member while demanding cash.
That’s when 61-year-old staffer Niall Stranix stepped up. Ignoring the gun, he tackled Stewart into a headlock despite taking a bottle blow to the head that left two cuts. The pistol began to break apart during their struggle and was later confirmed as a plastic BB gun.
Stewart’s mask slipped revealing his face to CCTV, helping police identify him. He fled empty-handed but was chased by Mr Stranix.
High-Speed Getaway Ends in Disaster
The stolen Audi was soon seen driving recklessly along Roundhay Road, colliding with barriers, swerving through traffic, and running red lights. Meanwhile, the young men robbed in Chapel Allerton Park reported the crime, linking all incidents.
Leeds District CID launched a fast investigation. Stewart was arrested on September 29 and charged with multiple serious offences:
- Four counts of robbery
- One count of attempted robbery
- Five counts of possession of a firearm during robbery
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
- Driving while disqualified
- Driving without insurance
Stewart, 37, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court on October 28. He was hit with an extended sentence of ten years and four months in prison plus an extra five years on licence.
This ruthless spree shows just how fast a violent criminal can strike – but also how brave citizens like Niall Stranix can help bring them down.
