Teenager jailed for holding London hotel staff at gunpoint

A 15-year-old boy has been sentenced to five years in a young offender's institute for holding staff at two London hotels at gunpoint and demanding cash.

Ayuub Mohammed was armed with a handgun when he arrived at the Arriva Hotel in Bloomsbury and the Howard Winchester Hotel in Argyle Street and threatened the receptionists.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard how Mohammed entered the Arriva Hotel on 27 February at 11pm and approached the reception desk.

He immediately demanded money from the receptionist and pulled a gun from his pocket.

He struck a male member of staff with the weapon and ordered him to open the hotel safe. The receptionist handed Mohammed a small amount of cash and another hotel guest was forced to hand over £180 and a mobile phone.

Just hours later on 28 February at 3am, Mohammed entered the Howard Winchester Hotel and asked the receptionist to search for room availability before pulling out a hand gun and threatening the member of staff.

The receptionist attempted to grab the gun and Mohammed fled empty-handed.

The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad launched an investigation and Mohammed was arrested and charged on 19 June.

Detectives believe that Mohammed was not working alone and would urge anyone with information to contact 101 and ask for the Flying Squad at Finchley.

Investigating officer, DC Dawn Bolitho, said: "Despite his young age, Mohammed was willing to target these two hotels and commit serious offences for his own personal gain. What this sentence shows is that the law will fall heavy on anyone using guns to commit crime and intimidate people."

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