Merton Gang Jailed After London-Wide Burglary Spree


Twins are among those sentenced

Five men from Merton, including twin brothers, have been jailed for a total of six years for a spate of burglaries across London.

Some of the burglaries were committed in Merton, but they also struck in Brent, Islington, Richmond, Southwark, Ealing, Lewisham, Newham, Camden, Waltham Forest, Kensington & Chelsea, Enfield, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Barking.

Harrow Crown court heard that the gang committed the "large" number of offences during the summer of 2013 and early 2014.

They used a distraction technique to steal property, including cash and phone cards from small business premises. A significant number of their offences were caught on CCTV.

All five men previously pleaded guilty to burglary/conspiracy to commit to burglary. They received the following sentences on May 9:

Billie Backshall, aged 22, of Lessness Road, Morden, was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment.

Tommy Backshall, 20, of Lessness Road, Morden, was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment.

Leon Thomas, 29, of Hasty Close, Mitcham, was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment.

Ashley Thomas, 29, of Hasty Close, Mitcham, was sentenced to one year imprisonment.

Reiss Brown, 29, of Hertford Way, Mitcham, was sentenced to one year and three months imprisonment.

Police said that due to the Thomas brothers being twins, identification proved difficult, but the strength of the operation and the determination to place each man at the scene of individual crimes it showed the evidence was overwhelming and therefore resulted in guilty pleas.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Michaelis, said: "These men committed, planned and organised these offences on virtually a daily basis. They were committing offences London wide.

"The offence of burglary has a painful and long lasting effect on its victims. Local residents can be assured that the Brent Crime Squad will put fear in to burglary offenders operating on this borough and arresting them when they least expect it."

Pictured from top to bottom are: Billie Backshall, Tommy Backshall, Leon Thomas, Ashley Thomas and Reiss Brown.

May 13, 2014