Four men have been jailed after a horror robbery in Nottingham in which a 19-year-old student was attacked and forced into an alley where he was robbed of his possessions. The robbery, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, April 18, 2023, has resulted in a significant conviction, bringing closure to a traumatic event for the victim.
What happened:
On the morning of April 18, 2023, a 19-year-old student was walking alone on Wellington Street in central Nottingham when he suddenly encountered three masked men. The attackers forcibly dragged him to a private alley, where they secured a gate to prevent him from escaping. The victim was threatened and his iPhone was snatched during the terrifying 40-minute ordeal. The attackers also forced her to reveal her passcodes, allowing them to access her banking apps. They transferred £1,539.63 from his account before taking his phone and fleeing the scene.
The brutal nature of the attack and the financial theft shocked the Nottingham community. The victim was traumatized and the case led to a thorough investigation by Nottinghamshire Police.
Investigation and Success:
The footage from nearby CCTV cameras played an important role in solving the case. The suspects were tracked to a restaurant in Hockley, where one of them was seen using a bank card. This led investigators to Oliver Saponov, who was found to be one of the suspects connected to the crime. Sapunov, along with Akil Hussein and Sefa Duzgan, were linked to the robbery through their connections at a college in Luton. The three men were co-directors of a company formed just two months before the robbery took place.
Search warrants executed at various locations uncovered vital evidence including a large amount of cash. The stolen iPhone was found in Sapunov’s bedroom, and further financial inquiries confirmed Adil Din’s involvement in money laundering related to the crime.
Sentence and court proceedings:
At Nottingham Crown Court, all four suspects were tried. Sapunov was found guilty of robbery and money laundering by the jury, while Hussein, Duzgan and Din pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Four people were sentenced to prison for their roles in the violent crime.
Impact on community and victim:
The robbery and attack had a profound impact on the victim’s life, leading to an outpouring of support from the community. The conviction of the four men marks the end of a painful chapter for the young student, who is now slowly recovering from the emotional and financial toll of the crime.
Closing Line:
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
