Sheffield teenager pointed gun at victim’s head while another prayed for life during meeting to buy Apple AirPods
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 27 how Umayr Saleem, aged 20, of Elmham Road, Darnall, Sheffield, had arranged to meet the complainant to buy Apple AirPods from him but after the victim had parked in a Sheffield cul-de-sac he was targeted by the defendant and others.
Ian West, prosecuting, said the complainant and two friends in his vehicle were approached by Saleem and others but after the AirPods were handed over the defendant snatched the car keys and pointed a black pistol - which was an imitation firearm - at the complainant and he demanded money.
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Hide AdMr West added that others stood around the vehicle and struck it and £540 in cash was taken from a glove compartment which had been proceeds from other sales.
Recorder Tahir Khan QC told Saleem: "The complainant and two of his friends came to meet you in order to sell AirPods. You turned up at the location which was a cul-de-sac and there was some general chit-chat before you went to grab the keys from the ignition and then produced a gun, which was never recovered, and pointed it at the head of the complainant.
"You demanded money. Another person who was part of a group of people who became involved removed something like £540 from the glove box and attempts were made to grab the complainant and his friends from the car. That must have been a terrifying ordeal for these young men.”
Mr West said occupants were pulled from the car and one was so convinced he was going to die when he had the firearm pointed at him that he began praying.
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Hide AdThe complainant described suffering blows to his head during the incident and Mr West added that the complainant’s friends also needed treatment for general injuries including a broken nose.
Mr West said that during the incident a brick was also thrown at the car windscreen and a hold-all bag with personal items was taken from the boot of the car.
The complainant stated that since the robbery he has been suffering “quite severely with anxiety” which has affected his university studies.
Saleem pleaded guilty to robbery after the incident on Christmas Day afternoon, about 5.10pm, on December 25, 2019.
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Hide AdJoe Culley, defending, said Saleem was only 18-years-old at the time of the offence and was immature and he was of previous good character and he has not committed any further offences.
Recorder Khan told Saleem: “This was, overall, a very terrifying ordeal for these young men and you played an important part in what happened.”
He added: “Carrying out a robbery involving the brandishing of an imitation gun with elements of planning to the offence is so serious that only an immediate sentence of custody can be imposed.”
He sentenced Saleem to 24 months of custody in a Young Offender Institution with 224 days to be deducted to allow for time served under a curfew while he was on bail.
