Dashcam Justice: Trio's own footage seals their fate

Hi and welcome to this Black Country News Crime Report:

Leicester, UK – A trio of young robbers, all under the age of 21, have been sentenced to a combined total of nearly nine years behind bars after dashcam footage from their own vehicle provided damning evidence against them.

On November 27th, 2023, 20-year-old Katarzyna Chojnacka was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo, with 20-year-old Harrison Barrett as a passenger, when they picked up their 17-year-old victim in Belgrave, Leicester. Shortly after, 18-year-old Owais Mamadbai joined them, climbing into the backseat and immediately demanding the victim hand over his phone. When the victim refused, Barrett jumped into the backseat, and together with Mamadbai, brutally assaulted the teenager.

The violence didn't end there. The trio forced their battered victim to guide them to his home, where they coerced him into letting them inside. Once inside, the robbers ransacked the house, stealing clothing and cash. Back in the car, they attempted to extort further funds by forcing the victim to arrange a bank transfer from a relative—an attempt that ultimately failed.

Their reign of terror was short-lived. Shortly after the crime, all three were arrested and, initially, they denied all charges. However, the investigation took a pivotal turn when police uncovered incriminating audio on Chojnacka's dashcam. The footage captured the entire robbery, leaving the trio with no choice but to change their pleas to guilty.

On August 16th, 2024, at Leicester Crown Court, the three were sentenced as follows: Mamadbai, of Peake Road, Leicester, received three years and two months; Chojnacka, of Bottrill Street, Nuneaton, was sentenced to 27 months; and Barrett, of no fixed abode, was handed 45 months. All three will serve their time in a young offenders institution.

Detective Constable Sarah Boys, who led the investigation, commented: "These three individuals lied repeatedly throughout the investigation, but once confronted with the dashcam evidence, they had no choice but to admit their guilt. Justice has been served, and I hope this sends a clear message that the UK’s justice system will use every tool at their disposal to bring criminals to justice."

Well, that’s all for now, but until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Natalie Smith

Black Country News Desk

Twitter (X) @natalie_Zion

natalie.bcnews@gmail.com