From the local rag: http://tinyurl.com/4ert8
KNIFE-WIELDING ROBBER IS JAILED
A Robber who threatened to cut the head off one of his victims and
shoot another, has been jailed for four years. Uuka Mawuli, who was
responsible for a series of terrifying robberies on Stapleton Road
railway station, was caught after his Photofit image appeared in the
Evening Post.
Mawuli, aged 22, of no fixed abode, but whose last known address was
in Easton, admitted the robbery offences when he appeared at Bristol
Crown Court.
Mawuli also pleaded guilty to an offence of theft and another of
handling stolen goods.
The court was told that the first robbery took place on January 24,
when a man standing on the platform at the railway station was
approached by Mawuli.
John Patrick, prosecuting, said Mawuli went up to the victim at around
9pm and asked if the train went to Avonmouth. He then asked the man
for his wallet.
When the victim refused, Mawuli threatened to cut his head off, the
court heard.
Mawuli produced a large kitchen knife and pushed his victim to the
ground, where a struggle took place, during which the victim sustained
several broken ribs before the defendant ran off with his phone.
A month later, on February 28, two youngsters from North Wales, who
were looking to study in Bristol, were approached at the same station
by Mawuli.
Mr Patrick said a 17-year-old girl and her boyfriend were asked by
Mawuli if they wanted him to put a bullet in them. The girl tried to
run but Mawuli grabbed her boyfriend and demanded they both hand over
money and mobile phones.
Mr Patrick said the two young people had been particularly terrified
by their ordeal in broad daylight at 4pm.
The court heard Mawuli approached a man waiting for a train at 6.30am
on April 15, threatening him with a knife.
The victim handed over his wallet and mobile phone and was told to go
away or he would be shot.
Mr Patrick said: "The defendant said 'If you don't move, I have a gun
and I'll shoot a hole in you.'"
He said Mawuli was finally arrested on May 25, but he denied the
robbery allegations.
However, Mawuli did admit forcing his way into the home of a man in
Easton, pretending to be a police officer and accusing his victim of
being a paedophile.
He stole a jacket, a wallet, driving licence, briefcase and mobile
phone, which belonged to the victim, after threatening to stab him.
Police later recovered the stolen items at Mawuli's aunt's address in
Easton, where he'd been staying.
Mawuli was also arrested in the early hours of March 23, with
jewellery and other items taken from a car which was broken into that
evening, which he claimed he had found.
In addition, the defendant pleaded guilty to stealing ú100 from a
disabled widow in Easton, for whom he would run errands.
Jason Taylor, defending, said Mawuli had grown up in a drugs culture
at home - smoking cannabis at 13 and moving on to heroin and cocaine
by the age of 15.
He said: "It's not his fault how he was brought up but it's no excuse,
either."
Mr Taylor said that, whilst on remand, Mawuli had become drug-free.
The judge David Smith, QC, said he wanted to impose a sentence that
would serve to protect society but would not crush the success Mawuli
had achieved so far.