All four men were each sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment for one count of aggravated burglary at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, 26 October following a three-week trial. Their details are as follows:
[A] Tyrone Benjamin, 34 (26.06.84) of Exeter Road, EN3;
[B] Nizam Hassan, 26 (25.11.91) of Nightingale Road, N9;
[C] Okan Dopran, 27 (10.09.91) of Barrow Lane, EN7;
[D] Danny Sole, 26 (29.09.92) of Trapstar Road, SG12.
All four were found guilty at the same court on Thursday, 25 October.
The court heard how at approximately 15:00hrs on Monday, 9 April, officers attended an aggravated burglary at a residential address on Rye Road, Hoddesdon. A quantity of jewellery, cash and a quantity of controlled drugs were stolen after the suspects, armed with knives, had forced entry into the address.
The victim of the burglary, a 25-year-old man, was taken to hospital – his injuries were not serious.
As a result of initial enquiries, armed officers stopped two vehicles shortly after on the A1170 Ware Road, in connection with the incident.
A quantity of drugs and two knives were recovered from the vehicle.
Six men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated burglary, drug offences and possession of an offensive weapon.
Officers from the Met’s Trident and Area Command launched an investigation and all six men were subsequently charged with aggravated burglary on 11 April.
Detective Inspector Peter MacDonald, who led the investigation, said: “The Met is committed to tackling those concerned in acts of violence and the use of weapons. This result has seen four dangerous offenders jailed for a lengthy period of time and demonstrates our determination to pursue violent offenders and bring them to justice”
Two other men charged were found not guilty during same hearing.