Watch: jailed moped thug is YouTube singer

A TEENAGER jailed over a string of moped robberies has been revealed as a YouTube singer with thousands of views.

Sitey Mairuf has racked-up over 5,000 views for her rendition of Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’.

Change arrived for the 19-year-old from south London as she was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Inner London Crown Court.

Mairuf, of South Norwood Hill, was part of a gang of knife-wielding moped muggers who targeted commuters between December 2016 and March this year.

Wearing skull masks, the gang stole laptops, phones and six scooters from at least 11 victims, targeting people travelling to work in Victoria, Mitcham, Herne Hill, Kennington and Camberwell. Their victims included a police officer whose motorcycle was stolen at knifepoint at 5.50am on March 10 near Brockwell Park.

Mairuf was jailed along with three other teenagers, the youngest of whom was aged just 14 when robberies took place.

The boy, now 15, was jailed for three and a half years by Judge William Wood, QC.

The other two are aged 16. One was jailed for four years while the fourth gang member had three-and-a-half years added to a six-year sentence he is already serving for manslaughter after killing a man by throwing a flare into his car “for fun” as he slept inside it.

All four were convicted of conspiracy to rob.

Mariuf’s performance had won praise on YouTube, with comments such as ‘She is amazing’ and ‘Age 15. Wow. Quite a voice.’ The focus has now turned to her conviction, with one viewer saying ‘Ask ur self, was it really worth it.’

Passing sentence, Judge Wood said: "It is outrageous that people do not feel fit or safe in starting or setting off on a motorbike in an important line of work.

"Frightening masks were used and it is inevitable that the victims would be traumatised.

"The wider public regards what these four young people have done as outrageous.

"It is shocking to think that people going lawfully about their business should face this danger.

"It is necessary that the public should know that significant sentences are handed out for moped robberies.

"These four defendants were convicted of one offence of conspiracy to rob, the conspiracy involved the use of mopeds, the threat of knife attacks and in one case the actual use of a knife.

"In every case, except the first, the victims were alone and in the first were two young women.

"The police officer was confronted by people wearing crash helmets, masks and threatening with a knife.

"I have seen a video which shows the criminals celebrating and taking gratification in their crime."

A relative of the youngest gang member shouted: "How can you do this? He’s only 15."

Judge Wood ordered the family from the court and said: "I do not believe that the public would not approve of a word that I have said, it is appalling to think that the families would not consider this sentence long enough."

The gang was caught by the Met's Venice Investigation Team and identified using CCTV and DNA evidence.

Detective Constable Adam Barry said: "Police are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who steal scooters, mopeds or motorbikes and then use them to commit crimes.



"These offenders rely on the unwariness of the public to commit their crimes. Therefore it is so important that the public remain vigilant at all times to protect their personal property.



"If anyone sees any suspicious activity or has any information about who is committing these crimes, please call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency call 999."