Police praise ‘brave’ Grindr victims as gang jailed for violent Birmingham robberies

Birmingham police have praised the bravery of victims who were targeted by ‘cruel’ robbers on dating app Grindr. The gang, jailed for nearly 80 years in total, met with men from the app with the sole aim of violently robbing them.

The thugs stole more than £100,000 from their victims – who thought they were meeting up with a genuine love interest – during a ten-month rampage in Birmingham. The gang lured gay men to Sparkbrook’s Golden Hillock Sports Ground and forced them to unlock their phones before draining their bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

Five men, who made up the gang, were jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, January 13. It came after they were convicted of conspiracy to rob.

READ MORE: Moment Birmingham Grindr robbers pretended car had broken down to target victims

Judge Sarah Buckingham said the defendants had ‘hatched a plan’ to target gay and bisexual men on Grindr. Their crimes were born out of homophobia and the belief they would have more money in their accounts, she said.

Det Insp Tom Lyons, speaking after the sentencing, praised the victims for their bravery in coming forward. He said: “This was a calculated series of robberies because they believed they were vulnerable, easy targets.

“I know it took the victims in this case a huge amount of bravery and courage to come forward and support the criminal justice process through to trial – and I commend them for doing so. Their evidence enabled us to launch a full-scale investigation and build a strong case, which ultimately brought the offenders to justice, and has undoubtedly prevented many other people from becoming a victim.”

Gang jailed

Demalji Hadza, 21, of Erskine Street, Nechells, admitted the charge and was sentenced to 16 years and two months behind bars. Abubaker Al Ezawy, 21, of Baverstock Road, Kings Heath, also pleaded guilty and received 16 years and five months.

Centre: Demalji Hadza. Clockwise from top left: Ali Hassan, Mohammed Sharif, Wasim Omar and Abubaker Al Ezawy

The other three men were convicted after trial. Ali Hassan, 21, of Albert Road, Lozells, was handed 16 years and nine months, while Wasim Omar, 24, of Wardlow Road, Nechells, was sentenced to 17 years and three months.

Mohammed Sharif, 23, of Keer Court, Bordesley Green, was jailed for 12 years. All will serve up to two-thirds of their terms in custody before being eligible for release.

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/police-praise-brave-grindr-victims-30776555