Gabriel fights off masked robber after attack with baseball bat
Gabriel, the Arsenal defender, wrestled a baseball bat-wielding attacker to the ground as raiders attempted to snatch his Mercedes, mobile phone and watch.
His attacker, Abderaham Muse, was jailed for five years after detectives traced DNA from a hat that fell off during the ambush in August. Muse had reportedly attempted to steal the Brazilian footballer’s £45,000 car from his garage after pouncing on him and a friend, Rodrigo Tavares, as they returned home from a night out.
CCTV footage shows Gabriel returning to the garage of his house in Barnet, north London, before he and Tavares are pounced on by Muse and an accomplice, both wearing masks and hoods.
The £27million signing from French side Lille can be seen holding his hands in the air, then he removes his watch before Muse lunges with a baseball bat. Gabriel responds by jabbing him in the face and grabbing his arm, before wrestling him to the ground.
The Daily Mail reported that Martin Lewis, prosecuting, told Harrow Crown Court: “No injuries were suffered but a great deal of shock was caused. They happened to pick on
two victims who were very fit and able to look after themselves.”
Muse, from Tottenham, was said to have convictions dating back to 2009, when he was caught in possession of a prohibited weapon.
He had a previous conviction and was subject to a 56-month sentence on licence for possessing heroin with intent to supply at the time of the attack.
During sentencing in October, Anupama Thompson, the judge, said of Muse: “While you didn’t specifically target the victim on account of him being a well-known footballer, there was a realisation this person was wealthy and worthy of robbing. You saw a nice car and a nice house and thought it was rich pickings. Fortunately, thanks to the brave actions of the people you targeted, no further damage was done.”
Muse was jailed for five years over one count of robbery and one of possession of an offensive weapon. Two accomplices have not been caught.
Judge Thompson told Muse: “You have an appalling record for a man of 26. This was a horrific and frightening attack on a group of people who were simply coming home from a night out.”
Wealthy footballers have been targeted by gangs in recent years. Last summer, Dele Alli was reportedly held at knifepoint when armed raiders broke into his home.