Guilty of shooting café worker in hip
A DANGEROUS man has pleaded guilty to shooting a café worker and threatening to shoot his colleagues.
Ilyas Mohamed was involved in the two frightening gun attacks in Acton and Drayton Green, on March 9, 2018.
The 23-year-old was arrested after police were initially called to a supermarket in Acton. Staff had called 999 after Mohamed and another man entered the store and started behaving aggressively.
They were challenged by staff after they threw cans of beer on the floor, but Mohamed then lifted the waistband of his trousers to reveal he had a gun.
Mohamed, of no fixed abode, said he was going to rob the store but the person who had gone in with him, guided him out. Once outside, he pointed his gun at staff in the store before leaving in a taxi.
The staff noted the license plate and called police.
In the meantime, Mohamed and his friend went to a Drayton Green café where they were abusive and threatening again.
One of the workers ushered the men out of the cafe but as he did, Mohamed pulled a gun and shot the man in the hip. Both men fled the scene and the victim was rushed to hospital.
Police searched the area and began chasing the duo. Mohamed was arrested after trying to evade officers by jumping through back gardens in Seaford Road.
Police went back through the gardens and found the Browning handgun, with a spent cartridge lodged in the gun.
He was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH), possession of a prohibited firearm and two counts of affray.
Mohamed pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, October 28. He will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, December 20.
Detective Constable Ismail Akkaya, from Trident, part of Specialist Crime, said: “Mohamed’s actions were reckless in the extreme and it is only by sheer luck that no one was more seriously injured as a result.
“He intimidated staff and customers at two venues that morning, showing an utter disregard for their wellbeing.
“I am pleased that a dangerous man has been convicted of firearms offences and a live weapon has been taken off the streets.
“I would like to thank the staff at the supermarket, whose quick thinking in noting the taxi’s details and phone call alerting the police helped officers find the pair quickly.
“Lastly I would like to thank the bravery of all who came forward to assist police and to those who gave witness, all of which enabled the conviction today.”