The Court of Appeal has significantly increased the sentence of Zakaria Mohamed, a 27-year-old convicted of a violent robbery. Mohamed’s original sentence of 21 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, was deemed unduly lenient by the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP. As a result, the sentence was increased to four years and nine months’ imprisonment.
The court heard that the victim, who was returning home after a night out in Leicester, was subjected to a horrific ordeal. In the early hours of May 24, 2024, the victim was grabbed and dragged into a car, where he was threatened with a kitchen knife and slapped. The group of assailants demanded the victim’s possessions, which included a smartphone, ear pods, a tablet, trainers, tracksuit, designer bag, and a jacket worth approximately £1,300.
After being forced to hand over his belongings, the victim was told to exit the vehicle, which then sped away. The police later apprehended Mohamed outside a nightclub, where he was found handling and inspecting the stolen items. Notably, Mohamed was also wearing the victim’s stolen jacket.
The victim’s impact statement revealed the profound effect the robbery had on his life. He stated that the incident led to him relocating to another city, and he continues to feel vulnerable whenever he goes out.
Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “This violent robbery was horrific, and the substantial sentence increase following my intervention should serve as a stark warning that crime and lawlessness will not be tolerated.”
Mohamed pleaded guilty to robbery, driving without a license, and driving without insurance on October 3, 2024, at Leicester Crown Court. His original sentence was handed down on December 19, 2024. However, following the Solicitor General’s intervention, the sentence was increased to four years and nine months’ imprisonment at the Court of Appeal on February 25, 2025.
