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Abu Hamza notoriety behind son's drift into crime, court hears Abu Hamza notoriety behind son's drift into crime, court hears
(10 days later)
The son of the Islamist cleric Abu Hamza turned to crime after being shunned by schoolmates because of his father's notoriety, a court has heard.The son of the Islamist cleric Abu Hamza turned to crime after being shunned by schoolmates because of his father's notoriety, a court has heard.
Norwich crown court was told that Imran Mostafa, 20, was sucked into offending because he had been isolated from mainstream society as parents warned their children to stay away from him. As he was sentenced to 11 years for his part in a robbery in Norfolk, Mostafa's barrister told how he had a "normal relationship" with his father until the age of 11, when Abu Hamza was jailed.Norwich crown court was told that Imran Mostafa, 20, was sucked into offending because he had been isolated from mainstream society as parents warned their children to stay away from him. As he was sentenced to 11 years for his part in a robbery in Norfolk, Mostafa's barrister told how he had a "normal relationship" with his father until the age of 11, when Abu Hamza was jailed.
Roderick Price added: "He had an unusual childhood and young adulthood … Attempts to socialise outside his home often failed because of who his father was. He became more and more isolated and his social life became centred around his family.Roderick Price added: "He had an unusual childhood and young adulthood … Attempts to socialise outside his home often failed because of who his father was. He became more and more isolated and his social life became centred around his family.
"Friendships proved difficult because children would be told by their parents not to play with him.""Friendships proved difficult because children would be told by their parents not to play with him."
Mostafa threw himself into school work gaining 11 GCSEs at A or B grade followed by A-levels, Price added.Mostafa threw himself into school work gaining 11 GCSEs at A or B grade followed by A-levels, Price added.
But he dropped out of a civil engineering course at university after attempts to break away from his reputation faltered and he experienced similar isolation.But he dropped out of a civil engineering course at university after attempts to break away from his reputation faltered and he experienced similar isolation.
Since being remanded in custody over the offence, he had been placed in segregation because of the identity of his father.Since being remanded in custody over the offence, he had been placed in segregation because of the identity of his father.
Price said Mostafa had been hit hard by Abu Hamza's recent extradition to the US, adding: "He knows he will never see his father again.Price said Mostafa had been hit hard by Abu Hamza's recent extradition to the US, adding: "He knows he will never see his father again.
"This is very hard for him because his father treated him in an entirely normal way as a son.""This is very hard for him because his father treated him in an entirely normal way as a son."
Mostafa, of Slough, was part of a gang who used a handgun and sledgehammer in a "sophisticated and well planned" raid.Mostafa, of Slough, was part of a gang who used a handgun and sledgehammer in a "sophisticated and well planned" raid.
The robbery happened at the Francis Wain store in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on 31 January. Gems worth about £70,000 were stolen in the smash and grab raid.The robbery happened at the Francis Wain store in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on 31 January. Gems worth about £70,000 were stolen in the smash and grab raid.
Prosecuting, Ian James said: "Some kind of smoke producing device was set off causing the attention of the public to be diverted to the van they used and shielding from public view the identity of those involved."Prosecuting, Ian James said: "Some kind of smoke producing device was set off causing the attention of the public to be diverted to the van they used and shielding from public view the identity of those involved."
James added that the raid was captured on CCTV and showed one of the robbers waving a handgun.James added that the raid was captured on CCTV and showed one of the robbers waving a handgun.
"For those who had the misfortune to be working in the premises it must have been an absolutely terrifying experience," he said."For those who had the misfortune to be working in the premises it must have been an absolutely terrifying experience," he said.
Mostafa had denied robbery and possessing a firearm with intent to commit an offence along with Jonathan Abdul, 18, from London, but both were convicted after a trial in September.Mostafa had denied robbery and possessing a firearm with intent to commit an offence along with Jonathan Abdul, 18, from London, but both were convicted after a trial in September.
On Thursday, they were sentenced alongside Ossama Hamed, 19, from Fulham, west London, and Ahmed Ahmed, 20, fromEnfield, north London, who had previously admitted the same charges.On Thursday, they were sentenced alongside Ossama Hamed, 19, from Fulham, west London, and Ahmed Ahmed, 20, fromEnfield, north London, who had previously admitted the same charges.
Passing sentence, the judge Peter Jacobs said: "This was plainly a terrifying robbery. Staff were praying that they would not be shot and they continue to suffer trauma."Passing sentence, the judge Peter Jacobs said: "This was plainly a terrifying robbery. Staff were praying that they would not be shot and they continue to suffer trauma."
Abdul will serve 11 years in a youth offenders institute, Hamed will serve eight years and three months and Ahmed seven years and four months.Abdul will serve 11 years in a youth offenders institute, Hamed will serve eight years and three months and Ahmed seven years and four months.
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