Robbery Spree Ends in Jail for 26-Year-Old Wasiu

A Nigerian-born immigrant, Wasiu Smith, 26, has been sentenced to five years in prison after carrying out a series of robberies targeting four men near Farringdon Tube Station in London.

According to the Daily Mail, the robberies took place on November 4, during which Smith stole several mobile phones, a work laptop and an opal heirloom ring valued at £600. He later claimed he had only travelled to the area to see the Christmas lights, despite the festive display not yet being switched on. Smith, who was born in Nigeria but holds a Dutch passport, has lived in the United Kingdom since 2019, first settling in Shropshire before relocating to Walsall.
The court heard that one of the victims, Alex Belsham-Harris, Head of Energy Consumer Markets at Citizens Advice, had just left the gym when Smith, with a scarf covering his face, attacked him from behind, repeatedly striking him near the ear before stealing his bag containing a work laptop. The victim, left dizzy and barely able to stand, sought refuge inside a nearby Tesco store. Another victim, Bonny Wambulu, was confronted outside his office on Farringdon Road, where Smith demanded money while pretending to conceal a weapon in his pocket. Although Wambulu insisted he had no money, Smith continued threatening him.
Smith also targeted Alexander Burgess, who had just collected an opal ring from a jeweller. After noticing the ring, Smith threatened to punch him while pretending to be armed, forcing Burgess to surrender the jewellery before ordering him to leave. His fourth victim, Michael Evesque, Managing Director of lighting company Bert Frank, encountered Smith blocking the pavement with his arms and legs spread out as he walked towards his office on Farringdon Road.
Police officers later arrested Smith on a bus and recovered the stolen property along with a wrap of crack cocaine. During questioning, Smith claimed ownership of the stolen ring and rucksack, alleged he had been attacked by unknown individuals, and insisted the drugs had been planted on him. The court rejected his claims, leading to his conviction and five-year prison sentence.