Knife-Wielding Robber Jailed After Terrifying Attack on Woman Walking Home
A man has been locked up for a knifepoint robbery on a lone woman out shopping in Westminster.
Victim Followed, Threatened with 10-Inch Knife
In March, the victim was walking from Queensway to St Petersburgh Place. As she walked along Moscow Road, she noticed a man trailing her. Feeling uneasy, she stopped to let him pass. Instead, he whipped out a 10-inch blade and made a stabbing motion.
“Give me your wallet,” the thug demanded. Terrified, the woman grabbed her purse containing cash, credit cards, and her driving licence, and threw it on the ground. The robber snatched it and sprinted off.
Robber Caught at McDonald’s Trying to Hide Identity
The suspect, Mark David Larkin, 50, also known as Curran, was soon tracked down to a nearby McDonald’s in Shepherd’s Bush. Despite wearing a hood, face covering, and hat, police identified and arrested him.
CCTV showed Larkin following the woman and later revealed him with the stolen goods. Homeless at the time, Larkin faced a six-day trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Judge Sends Robber Down for 6 Years
The judge branded the crime “extremely serious.” On 2 November, Larkin was sentenced to six years for robbery and an additional 18 months for knife possession. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud and was hit with a £170 Victim Surcharge. All sentences run concurrently.
Detective Constable Samuel Turner said: “This is an incredibly positive result which shows the hard work detectives go through to bring offenders to justice. CCTV proved key in this case, as was the tireless cooperation of the victim who assisted at every opportunity. Despite the fear this man put her in, she was able to pull through and give evidence that led to his conviction.”
