Jailed: Man tied up and robbed sex workers in terrifying raid
A man who tied up two sex workers and robbed them at gunpoint in the West Midlands has been jailed for 13 years.
Amaan Lone, from Washwood Heath, Birmingham, admitted being part of a group which took part in the attack which took place in 2019.
The 28-year-old, of Malthouse Lane, has been jailed for 13 years after admitting a string of offences on March 8.
Lone pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, possession of a bladed article, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of cannabis.
The criminal and his two accomplices turned up at an address in the Tyseley area of Birmingham, and when the door was opened by a female escort, the gang forced their way in.
The women were tied up, threatened with knives and an imitation firearm, before their money and other personal possessions were stolen.
The gang held the women in separate rooms and repeatedly threatened to stab and shoot them, with one woman having a pillow held over her face.
Victim impact statements, read out at Birmingham Crown Court, revealed both women were still suffering from the psychological impact of the incident.
Blood
Police were alerted to the incident, which happened at 11.45pm on November 13, 2019.
One of the women managed to injure Lone with his own knife as she fought back. The blood was found on a purse at the scene and the vital evidence helped crack the case.
A sample taken from the droplets of blood found on the purse, was forensically tested and the DNA was found to match that of Amaan Lone to a certainty of one in one billion.
Lone was arrested 11 days after the incident, with officers finding a black imitation firearm and a hunting style combat knife in his bedroom. The weapons were identified as the ones used in the attack on the two women.
As a result he was charged the same day and in light of the overwhelming evidence against him, Lone had no choice but to admit his involvement and plead guilty.
Detective Sergeant Tom Lyons, who led the investigation, said: "These crimes were committed by a ruthless group of men armed with knives and an imitation firearm.
"I believe that they attacked these women believing they would not report the incident to police due to fear, embarrassment or the belief that the women would just see this as an occupational hazard. They were wrong, and I'd like to praise the two women for coming forward.
"It is disappointing for me and my team that the two other men are yet to be identified. I would urge anyone with information and any other victims out there to contact us.
"We know this group historically mistrust the police and fear they’ll be criminalised if they come forward. I hope the sentencing today shows that we are dedicated to pursuing justice for them."
