This is the dramatic moment a migrant mugger was apprehended after his quick-thinking victim managed to take a photograph and immediately present it to police officers. Sudanese refugee Hamdan Khowjsly, aged 21, held Ashley D'Souza at knifepoint and stole a valuable gold chain worth £700 on London's bustling Oxford Street.
Swift Police Response Following Photographic Evidence
Mr D'Souza demonstrated remarkable presence of mind by capturing an image of Khowjsly on his mobile phone during the terrifying incident. This photographic evidence proved crucial as police were able to locate and arrest both Khowjsly and his accomplice, 22-year-old Mohammed Adam, merely minutes after the robbery occurred.
The Arrest Footage Details
In compelling footage from the scene, two police officers can be seen leaping from their vehicle to pursue Adam through the streets. Meanwhile, Khowjsly attempted to inconspicuously walk away from the area, but officers quickly intercepted him, pushing him against a railing to effect the arrest.
Both defendants required Sudanese interpreters during their appearance at Southwark Crown Court, where they were convicted of robbery and carrying a blade in a public place. Prosecutor Sarah Memmi detailed how the men targeted Mr D'Souza around 2:30am on 26 July.
Victim's Terrifying Ordeal and Emotional Impact
'He felt someone violently grab the collar of his t-shirt,' Ms Memmi recounted. 'He felt terrified, and felt if he fought back he would be attacked. As his attackers ran away, Mr D'Souza followed them, taking pictures on his phone.'
Officers noticed the defendants shortly afterward, wearing balaclavas and dark clothing while carrying carrier bags. Their suspicious appearance matched reports of multiple robberies in the vicinity, prompting immediate police intervention.
When searched, both men were found to be carrying knives in their carrier bags. The stolen gold chain, which featured an emerald stone setting, held significant sentimental and religious value as a family heirloom for Mr D'Souza. Tragically, the precious item has not been recovered.
Psychological Aftermath for the Victim
In his victim impact statement, Mr D'Souza described being left 'shaken' by the traumatic theft. Ms Memmi elaborated: 'He always enjoyed walking in London but this has made him question how safe it is to walk on the street. He felt helpless and scared. He was screaming for help, nobody came despite there being lots of people in the street.'
The prosecutor further revealed that Mr D'Souza found the incident 'humiliating' and experienced flashbacks in the days following the attack, repeatedly reliving the moment he was grabbed from behind.
Defendants' Backgrounds and Legal Arguments
Defense counsel presented mitigating circumstances for both perpetrators. Luna Spada, representing Adam, described his 'difficult childhood and traumatic upbringing,' noting he arrived in the country in 2024 with five-year status to remain.
'He was shot at the age of 19, after that he lost his family effectively because of the war,' Spada told the court. 'He was homeless at the time, between 20 and 21 years old.'
Hannah Bentwood, defending Khowjsly, stated: 'He pleaded guilty, he accepts the offence. He has explained to me a very traumatic past. When he was 12 years old his village in Sudan was attacked, he and his parents were effectively kidnapped and tortured and his mother was killed in front of his eyes.'
Bentwood continued: 'He was able to escape and aged 16 he fled to this country alone via Libya. He was sharing in a shared accommodation provided by social services until he was 20 at which point he received council accommodation. He has expressed that he feels remorse from these offences. He knows he made a mistake and he would never do such a thing again.'
Judicial Response and Sentencing
Judge Adam Hiddleston questioned the relevance of the defendants' 'traumatic pasts' to the crimes committed, suggesting they were 'potentially irrelevant' to the sentencing considerations.
'It was a premeditated and violent robbery of a victim's neck chain involving the brandishing of a large kitchen knife in the early hours of the 26 July last year,' Judge Hiddleston declared. 'Your victim was clearly terrified by what you did to him. The experience continues to have a seriously detrimental effect upon him.'
The judge further noted: 'You sought to conceal your identities by the use of balaclavas. The item that you stole was of some considerable value to your victim both from a financial as well as a sentimental perspective. You are both of previous good character, and I have taken this into account as I have your backgrounds.'
Substantial Prison Sentences Imposed
Both perpetrators received jail terms totaling 52 months for the robbery conviction. Detective Constable Emily Blatchford, who led the investigation, commented on the efficient police work: 'Quick work by Met officers meant Adam and Khowjsly were in handcuffs within minutes of committing the offence.'
DC Blatchford added: 'We know that thefts like this remain a key concern to those who live, work or visit the West End. We're committed to tackling it head-on by strengthening our neighbourhood policing teams to make sure officers are out on the streets - where they're most needed.'
