London street gang "addicted to violence"

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) Three members of a gang of armed robbers ''addicted to violence'' have been sentenced to life in jail after terrorising London streets.

The group, whom police described as one of the ''most violent street robbery gangs to operate in London in recent years'' subjected their victims to brutal attacks during a three-month campaign last year.

The gang would abduct strangers from the street before stealing their valuables and bank cards. Those who resisted revealing their PIN numbers were threatened with guns and knives and viciously beaten.

One suffered a fractured cheekbone, which required the insertion of a metal plate, while another is still receiving medical treatment after being repeatedly hit in the face.

Today, all four men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob at Wood Green Crown Court, north London, and were sentenced to a total of 45 years.

Unemployed Robert Lincoln, 18, from Barking, was told he should serve at least 14 years, after which he should be deported to Jamaica.

Pedro Frota, 19, also unemployed from Barking, was told he should serve 12-1/2 years and be deported to Portugal.

Unemployed Sofian Majera, 22, from Dagenham, was given 14 years and told he should be deported to Rwanda.

The only member of the gang to avoid a life sentence was Luis Frota, 23, also from Barking, who was sentenced to 4-1/2 years, after which the judge recommended he be deported to Portugal.

Detective Inspector Lloyd Gardner, of London's crime squad, said: ''This gang were one of the most violent street robbery gangs to operate in London in recent years.

''They used extreme violence on their victims, who were put through a terrifying ordeal.'' The gang carried out 24 attacks between September and December 2005, often targeting passengers as they left tube and train stations.

Judge Witold Pawlak, passing sentence, said: ''These men were addicted to violence and treated their victims like they were characters in an arcade game.'' Reuters AB VV2200