Police Seek Justice for Grindr Gang Victims After Brutal Attacks
Police are urging other victims to come forward after a gang was jailed for brutal crimes against the LGBTQ+ community
Birmingham, UK, Grindr, LGBTQ+, Robbery, Police
Birmingham: So, there was this brutal gang that targeted people on Grindr, and they finally got what was coming to them. The police are really hoping that their long sentences will encourage other victims to step up and share their stories.
This gang, made up of five guys, stole around £100,000 over ten months. They were caught after they messed with a bunch of people in places like Golden Hillock Park and Derby city center.
The West Midlands Police said these thugs were specifically going after members of the LGBTQ+ community, thinking they’d be easy targets. One poor guy was forced to shout something humiliating while they took nearly £17,000 from him. Can you believe that?
On January 13, the gang got sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court, with terms ranging from 12 to 17 years. Detective Constable Sarah Byrne, who led the investigation, is really pushing for anyone who feels ashamed or scared to come forward. She wants them to know they’ll be treated with care and support.
She mentioned how important it was for the victims to share their experiences, saying it helped bring these guys to justice. It’s all about giving closure to those who suffered.
And get this, the gang even pretended to be hurt to trick good Samaritans into helping them. In one case, they faked a car breakdown in Derby, and when two people tried to help, they ended up getting robbed. Just awful!
Here’s how the sentences broke down: Hadza got 16 years and two months, Alezawy got 16 years and five months, Hassan got 16 years and nine months, Omar got 17 years and three months, and Sharif got 12 years and three months. Hadza and Alezawy admitted guilt early on, while the others were found guilty after a lengthy trial.