Robbers jailed for slashing and beating a group of friends in Bow

Two robbers who slashed, stabbed and beat a group of friends who were on their way home from a night out in an unprovoked attack with knives and a crowbar have been jailed.

Thugs Jordan Azille, 20, and Nathan Harriette, 22, were sentenced to a total of more than 15 years behind bars for setting upon four victims in September last year.

The duo, operating as part of a gang of eight suspects, robbed the group and attacked them with knives and crowbars during the attack, in Saxon Road, Bow.

Police confirmed they are yet to identify the six other suspects, despite their best efforts.

Det Sgt Ben Lawrence said: “These convictions demonstrate the commitment of Tower Hamlets police to removing violent criminals and robbers from the streets of our borough, and sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those committing crimes and place them before the courts.”

His unit, which conducted the investigation into the attack from Bethnal Green police station, was praised by the judge as she sentenced the pair at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday.

But he insisted: “This level of investigation is business as usual for myself and for my team.”

Azille, of Hewison Street in Bow, was found guilty of wounding with intent, robbery, attempted robbery, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon. He will serve seven years in jail and six months in a young offenders’ institute for wounding with intent, with other prison terms running concurrently.

Harriette, of Walthamstow, was guilty of two counts of grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, common assault, robbery, attempted robbery and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for eight years for wounding with intent, with his remaining sentences also running concurrently.