A man from Beckton has been jailed for three and a half years for the violent robbery of a French student.

Adebowale Mafo, 28, of East Ham Manor Way, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, September 5, for robbery and assaulting police with intent to resist arrest.

Mafo saw the 24-year-old woman when driving through Ilford on June 15 2013, before stopping to talk to her and exchanging numbers under the alias, David.

He called her the next morning, offering to help move her belongings to her new house, but instead drove her to Canning Town, explaining he needed to change vehicles.

Mafo then walked with the victim to a secluded alley in Richard House Drive before grabbing her, punching her in the face and demanding she hand over the £600 deposit for her new home.

He stole the woman’s money and mobile phone, and drove off with all of her documents and belongings.

Mafo was traced by his phone records and arrested at his parents’ home on July 16, 2013, where he assaulted a police officer.

Det Con Rafiq Patel said: “I am really pleased with the result of the investigation and the sentence Mafo has received.

“It reflects the gravity of what he did as he subjected this woman to a terrifying ordeal.”

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