Saddam-Masked Robber Convicted in London

Link : http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=816&ncid=816&e=15&u=/ap/20041019/ap_on_fe_st/britain_saddam_raiders

LONDON - One of a trio of armed thieves who wore rubber Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) masks while raiding corner stores was convicted Tuesday of robbery and weapons offenses.



Jamie Miell, 25, was convicted at Reading Crown Court of one count of conspiracy to rob and 18 counts of possessing a firearm whilst committing or attempting to commit a robbery. Two other men, Mark Davies, 27, and Garri Collins, 22, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to rob and to 21 firearms offenses.


Prosecutors said the three men used guns, knives and baseball bats to rob 21 convenience stores and pubs across southern England and Wales of $58,000 in cash during a three-month spree last year.


Police began tracking the gang after closed-circuit TV footage showed a similarity to several of the crimes ?- the thieves wore masks depicting the deposed Iraqi dictator.


Judge Zoe Smith said the three men would be sentenced next week