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Victim hunts down robber using Facebook (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton victim hunts down robber using Facebook
9:42am Friday 5th October 2012 in Crime
By Sian Davies, Senior News Reporter
Talhabaig Mirza
A TEENAGER used Facebook to track down a man who subjected him to a terrifying and degrading robbery.
The 16-year-old was threatened with a knife and being bitten by a dog, repeatedly beaten and told to strip as part of the horrific ordeal at the hands of two young men who then stole his moped and mobile phone.
But despite the harrowing robbery the youngster turned detective and managed to trace one of his attackers through the social networking site. He then handed the details to police who promptly arrested Talhabaig Mirza.
His accomplice – described as the ringleader – has not been traced and police are appealing for help finding him.
At Southampton Crown Court 17-year-old Mirza pleaded guilty to robbery and was sent to a young offenders institution for two years and two months.
The court heard from prosecutor Siobhan Linsley, who said the victim had been riding his moped through Southampton’s Northam estate at 9.20pm on July 21 when he stopped by football pitches at the community centre. He was texting on his phone when he was approached by Mirza and another man who told him to take off his riding helmet, as he did so his phone and keys to his bike were taken.
What followed was a sustained attack that included the teenager being grabbed, pulled off his bike and punched.
The victim told police Mirza had punched him in the face “as hard as he could” before being ordered to his knees.
Despite pleading for the attack to stop the victim was then kneed in the face twice by Mirza, who himself was only 16 when he carried out the attack.
Mirza’s accomplice, who it was accepted was ‘the ringleader’ in the robbery, then pulled out a 12in kitchen knife which he pushed against the chest of the teenage victim before handing it over to Mirza who did the same.
Ms Linsley said: “At this stage the victim was told to remove his clothes.”
She added the pair then photographed the victim on his own phone before goading a dog they had to bite him. The pair then “touched fists to say goodbye” before leaving.
The victim fled to a friend’s house who called the police. Miss Linsley said the victim thought he recognised Mirza and managed to identify him through friends on Facebook.
Mitigating for Mirza, of Howell Close, Southampton, Sarah Jones said the episode was wholly out of character for Mirza who was under the influence of the other older man.
“It is very difficult to be a young person on this estate.”
In jailing Mirza Judge Peter Henry described the robbery as “the gratuitous degradation of a young man”.
Police appeal
DETECTIVES today issued a plea for help from the community to trace another man they want to speak to in connection with the attack.
Fardeen Hamidy, 18, who lives on the Northam Estate, has never been found despite extensive work to try to locate him.
Detective inspector Paul Gelman, from Shirley CID, said he was keen to find Hamidy and talk to him about the robbery.
He said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack with the aim of stealing items from a youth. While we are pleased that Mirza has been brought to justice over this matter, we are keen to question Fardeen Hamidy in connection with this robbery.”
He added: “I am sure someone in the Northam community knows him and where he may be now and I would urge them to contact us.”
Anyone with information on where Hamidy might be is asked to call Shirley CID on 101.
Comments(22)
BenjiWinsor
says...
9:51am Fri 5 Oct 12
Agree with SotonLad people need to come forward with information on the missing man, prove you know what's right and what's wrong and so what is right.
WECOMING4U
says...
9:59am Fri 5 Oct 12
mbetts
says...
10:00am Fri 5 Oct 12
St.DaveH
says...
10:02am Fri 5 Oct 12
8089
says...
10:16am Fri 5 Oct 12
Shoong
says...
10:28am Fri 5 Oct 12
G0Rf
says...
10:43am Fri 5 Oct 12
http://www.bebo.com/
c/photos/albums?Memb
erId=7404961794
ToastyTea
says...
10:49am Fri 5 Oct 12
Laura85
says...
11:45am Fri 5 Oct 12
Huey
says...
11:55am Fri 5 Oct 12
Higginz
says...
12:39pm Fri 5 Oct 12
And now, for two years and two months, it's slightly easier. Hooray!
florida saint
says...
1:49pm Fri 5 Oct 12
what were the police doing to trace these scum.
Matt Probert
says...
3:21pm Fri 5 Oct 12
It is very difficult to be ANY person on ANY estate, but that does not excuse behaving in such a socio-pathic manner (I cant say what I really think of these two, but if you think of someone who works for Lloyds-TSB or Barclays you may get the gist).
Come on Youth Service, lets clean up these estates and PREVENT disillusioned young so-and-sos from becoming vicious thugs.
Nuff respect to the victim who has shown great fortitude and presence of mind in tracking down one of his assailants despite the trauma he must have gone through.
Matt
Subject48
says...
5:56pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Right outside a lynch mob and then just leave. That would be justice. not 2 years in a young offenders hotel where they can learn from other scum how to get away with more stuff...
This is what the nanny state and health and safety BS has bred.
Bossman786
says...
6:05pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Bossman786
says...
6:09pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Bossman786
says...
6:10pm Fri 5 Oct 12
IronLady2010
says...
6:28pm Fri 5 Oct 12
MerryOak?
says...
6:31pm Fri 5 Oct 12
G0Rf wrote:For your information and anyone else reading this. This is NOT Fardeen Hamidy, or the person on the other link.
here's some pictures to help you track Fardeen Hamidy down.............
http://www.bebo.com/
c/photos/albums?Memb
erId=7404961794
I know who is is, and thats definitely not him.
Subject48
says...
6:59pm Fri 5 Oct 12
MerryOak?
says...
12:04am Sat 6 Oct 12
Subject48 wrote:If I knew of his current whereabouts I would inform the correct authorities without hesitation.
So you are perverting the course of justice or harbouring a fugitive ?
SotonLad says...
9:47am Fri 5 Oct 12