The trigger triplets
Brothers nearly avoided jail over Uzi due to DNA
DETECTIVES were left scratching their heads when the DNA of identical triplets was found on a gun sold to a violent criminal.
But police were eventually able to link all three brothers to the crime, and the trio were yesterday jailed.
The triplets’ shared DNA could have spared them jail because detectives were unable to prove which of them had handled the Uzi submachine gun.
But a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police, using surveillance and analysis of mobile phones, revealed all three of the brothers were involved.
Ricky, Ralston and Reiss Gabriel, 28, from Edmonton, north London, were convicted of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life. They sold an Uzi and a self-loading pistol to Aron Thomas, an ‘extremely dangerous criminal’ who is serving life in prison for his role in the plot.
Judge John Hillen sentenced Ricky and Ralston, both semi-professional footballers, to 14 years in prison at Blackfriars Crown Court. Reiss was given 18 years as he was also convicted of drugs offences and a second firearms offence.
As they were led from the dock the trio smiled and waved to friends and family in court.
Before his conviction Ralston Gabriel played for Boreham Wood FC and Ricky Gabriel was a footballer with Braintree Town FC. Judge Hillen told the brothers: ‘All three of you were involved in an agreement to source and deliver the weapons to an extremely dangerous criminal, Aron Thomas, for his use.’
Thomas was jailed for 11 years in 2010 for shooting a gun at Wood Green Tube station, injuring one bystander. He was out of prison on licence when he was arrested over the firearms conspiracy.
The violent YouTube rapper from Holloway will serve a minimum of 14 years before he is eligible for release. The convictions were part of a complex case that saw seven people jailed and centred on the sale of the two weapons.
Armed police found the Uzi – described as an ‘ extraordinarily serious firearm’ – and a self-loading pistol plus ammunition when they stopped at taxi in Tottenham, north London, in April 2017. The court heard that both weapons were ready for immediate use.
Driss Hayoukane, temporary Detective Chief Inspector with the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: ‘The trio tried to exploit their identical DNA and appearance to evade the consequences of their actions, but the hard work of the investigation team prevented their attempts.
‘These men have thrown away promising careers and futures.’
The other four conspirators, including Thomas, were given sentences of at least 14 years after being convicted in May 2018.
The Gabriel triplets were convicted in July this year.