West Kensington Man Jailed for Violent Robbery Spree
Adel Kerari and his gang targeted phones of passengers on the tube
Kerari shows shock when police arrived to arrest him in his West Ken flat. Picture: BTP
January 23, 2026
A man who took part in a string of violent robberies across London Underground has been jailed following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation that tracked him down more than two years after the offences took place.
Adel Kerari, 27, of Lisgar Terrace in West Kensington, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on 9 January to two years and eight months in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and one count of fraud by false representation. The court also imposed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
Kerari’s conviction relates to a series of robberies committed over an 11-day period in June 2023, during which he and several other young men targeted lone travellers at stations including Holborn, Chancery Lane, Leicester Square, Russell Square, Notting Hill, Shepherd’s Bush, Piccadilly Circus and Leyton.
The group moved from station to station, using violence or the threat of violence to rob passengers of phones, wallets and other valuables.
The first known incident occurred on 1 June 2023, when a woman travelling to Holborn was cornered on a train. After she managed to leave the carriage, she was followed through the station, pushed from behind, punched in the face and robbed of her phone and headphones.
On another night, the group robbed two people within ten minutes — first at Leicester Square, then at Russell Square after travelling there by Tube.
The final robbery in the series took place on 11 June at Leyton Underground station, where a man was pushed to the ground and attacked before having his phone and wallet stolen. Hours later, his bank card was used at an off-licence by Kerari and others.
Adel Kerari
Kerari was identified by detectives in 2023, but enquiries revealed he had left the UK. When he returned in 2025, BTP officers moved quickly, arresting him at an address in West London on 4 September.
His co-conspirators were convicted earlier, receiving a combined total of more than ten years in prison between 2023 and 2024. They include:
• Musa Lebdiri, 21, of Brent – sentenced to 33 months
• Normane Draachour, 24, of no fixed abode – sentenced to 27 months
• Ali Mansour, 21, of Hatfield – sentenced to 27 months
• Brandon Reeves, 20, of Brent – sentenced to 40 months
Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins, who led the investigation, said the case demonstrated BTP’s determination to pursue violent offenders on the rail network.
“Criminals like Kerari should know that we’ll make sure they face justice for the crimes they inflict on members of the public,” he said. “Kerari and the rest of the cowardly group worked together to intimidate and target passengers across London for their own benefit.”
He added that extensive CCTV coverage across the Underground was crucial in proving the group’s involvement.
“Our uniformed and plain-clothes teams patrol the rail network every day to deter robbery and keep passengers safe. Fortunately, incidents like this are rare, but we take every report extremely seriously and will continue to come down hard on those who use the railway network for criminal gain.”
BTP advises anyone who witnesses or experiences a robbery to dial 999 immediately or alert station staff so officers can respond quickly.
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