Violent London Underground Robbery Gang Sentenced to Over 10 Years
A gang of prolific robbers who terrorised solo commuters on the London Underground during a violent 11-day spree have been jailed, with sentences handed down in 2023 and 2024 totalling over 10 years in prison.
Targeted Attacks Across Multiple Stations
The criminal group carried out a series of aggressive robberies across numerous London Underground stations in June 2023, targeting victims at Holborn, Chancery Lane, Leicester Square, Russell Square, Notting Hill, Shepherd's Bush, Piccadilly Circus, and Leyton stations.
The first incident occurred on June 1st, when the gang cornered a woman on a train to Holborn. After she managed to leave the train, they followed her toward the escalator and through the station before pushing her from behind, punching her in the face, and stealing her mobile phone and headphones before fleeing the scene.
Rapid Succession of Crimes
On another occasion, the gang targeted two victims within just 10 minutes, first robbing someone of their phone and wallet at Leicester Square station before travelling on the train to Russell Square and stealing a second person's mobile phone.
The violent spree continued on June 11th when a man was pushed to the ground and attacked at Leyton Underground station. The group stole his phone and wallet, then used his wallet at an off-license just hours later.
Key Gang Member Sentenced
Adel Kerari, 27, of Lisgar Terrace in Hammersmith and Fulham, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on January 9th 2026 to two years and eight months in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and one count of fraud by false representation. Kerari was also handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
Although identified in 2023, Kerari was out of the country at the time. Police arrested him at his West London home on September 4th 2025 after he had returned to the UK.
Additional Gang Members Convicted
Several accomplices received substantial prison sentences for their roles in the crime wave:
- Musa Lebdiri, 21, of Fry Road in Brent, was convicted of three counts of robbery and one count of handling stolen goods, receiving 33 months imprisonment on December 1st 2023.
- Normane Draachour, 24, of no fixed abode, was convicted of attempted robbery and theft, sentenced to 27 months imprisonment on December 1st 2023.
- Ali Mansour, 21, of Meadow Cross in Hatfield, was convicted of five counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, and one count of fraud by false representation, receiving 27 months imprisonment on March 6th 2024.
- Brandon Reeves, 20, of The Croft in Brent, was convicted of five counts of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery, and one count of possession of an offensive weapon, sentenced to 40 months imprisonment on July 18th 2024.
Police Response and Public Safety Message
Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins, the investigating officer in the case, stated: "Criminals like Kerari should know that we'll make sure they face justice for the crimes they inflict on members of the public. Tackling robbery on the London Underground is a top priority for us, and we're working around the clock to catch offenders and ensure they have their day in court."
He emphasised that the rail network is covered by extensive CCTV, which was successfully used to prove the gang's involvement in the 11-day crime spree. "Our uniformed and plain-clothes teams patrol the rail network every day to deter robbery and keep passengers safe. Fortunately, incidents like this are rare, but we take every report of robbery extremely seriously and will continue to come down hard on those who use the railway network for criminal gain."
The detective sergeant advised the public: "If a robbery has just happened, always dial 999 or speak to an officer or a member of staff – our officers can then quickly deploy to your location and begin immediate enquiries to trace the culprits."
The combined sentences for all gang members exceed 10 years, marking a significant victory for British Transport Police in their ongoing efforts to combat crime on London's transport network.
