Gang who used apps such as Grindr to target victims jailed

A gang of five men, who used dating apps including Grindr to lure victims and violently rob them have been jailed following convictions for a series of violent robberies. Demalji Hadza, Abubaker Alezawy, Ali Hassan, Wasiim Omar and Mohammed Sharif have been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for a combined 78 years and seven months.

Their sentences were as follows: Demalji Hadza, 16 years and two months; Abubaker Alezawy, 16 years and five months; Ali Hassan, 16 years and nine months; Wasim Omar, 17 years and three months; Mohammed Sharif, 12 years and three months. West Midlands Police reported that Hadza and Alezawy pleaded guilty on day two of the trial, while Hassan, Omar and Sharif were found guilty on 17 September 2023, following a six-week trial.

At Birmingham Crown Court, the prosecution began by outlining the homophobia that fuelled many of these violent robberies: "There can be no doubt that the defendants were targeting gay men," adding that there was "a belief held by the defendants that their victims would not complain to the police... [and] that gay men would have more money in their bank accounts." Of the ten male victims who were part of the case, six were speaking to a man on Grindr. 

During a ten-month span, these men conspired, planned and committed robberies across Birmingham and Derby resulting in over £100,000 worth of belongings stolen; including vehicles, house keys, money, phones, and identification documents. They undertook the offences at Golden Hillock Park, in South Birmingham and Derby city centre between 2023 and 2024.

The gang used apps such as Grindr to users to a location where they would meet what thought was a legitimate person. West Midlands Police also added that “they also relied upon the good nature of helpful members of the public by pretending to be injured in order to trick the victims into helping them.”

“The group would trap their victims where they were violently assaulted, had their belongings stolen, and threats were made against them. While being held for hours and in fear of their lives, their phones were used to transfer large sums of money out of their bank accounts.”

Victims were left with a variety of injuries including broken eye sockets, a dislocated shoulder, and a broken nose; many of them required treatment in hospital following the attacks.

Detective Inspector Tom Lyons, from Birmingham LPA, said: “This was a calculated series of robberies with Hadza, Alezawy, Hasan, Omar and Sharif, deliberately targeting victims because they believed they were vulnerable, easy targets. My team conducted a lengthy investigation which required piecing together many strands of evidence.

“I know that it took the victims in this case a huge amount of bravery and courage to come forward and support the criminal justice process through to trial - and I commend them for doing so.

“Their evidence enabled us to launch a full-scale investigation and build a strong case, which ultimately brought the offenders to justice, and has undoubtedly prevented many other people from becoming a victim.

“I hope today’s sentencing provides reassurance that we take these types of offences extremely seriously, and always do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice. Those found committing offences like this can expect to face a considerable length of time in prison.”

Speaking after the sentencing on 13th January 2024, Detective Constable Sarah Byrne, added: “Convicting these individuals would have never been possible without the victims' bravery in sharing their accounts with the police and court. We hope that seeing these individuals being held to account for their actions will bring closure for the victims.

“I would encourage anyone who has been subject to a similar ordeal to come forward and report it to police. All reports will be dealt with sensitively and victims will be supported by specially trained officers."