Gang jailed for total of 82 years after violent Hereford robbery
West Mercia Police say the victim was left with two permanent scars to his head
A gang of seven robbers have been jailed for a total of 82 years after a violent robbery at a address in Hereford.
The incident happened at a converted music studio in a loft of an address in the Whitecross area in April 2024.
At Worcester Crown Court on Friday (December 12) the judge sentenced the seven men as follows:
- Cadaine July, 18, of Manor Street, Stoke-on-Trent, pled guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – eight years six months.
- Jahmya Farrell, 18, of Fieldfare Way, Coventry, pled guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – eight years six months.
- Esa Hussain, 19 of Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 11 years.
- Ethan Powell, 19, of Eskdale Close, Worcester, pled not guilty and was convicted of grievous bodily harm and robbery – 11 years (13 years total as the judge also sentenced him for a separate possession with intent to supply class A drugs – cocaine offence).
- Musa Hussain, 20, of Oxford Street, Rugby, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 16 years. (20 years in total for separate charges including offences of possession of a bladed article and violent disorder).
- Caleb Barnes, 20, of Aylesbury Crescent, Birmingham, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 14 years.
- Acaree Crossgill, 20, of Mere Road, Birmingham, pled not guilty to robbery and grievous bodily harm - 13 years.
An eighth defendant, who is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to be sentenced on 12 January 2026.
On 4 April 2024, the defendants carried out a pre-planned robbery at the music studio after travelling there by train from Birmingham.
Police say the victim was held at knifepoint by Musa Hussain while Cadaine July punched him to the face and the others assaulted him.
July and Ethan Powell were later found in possession of the some of the stolen property.
Gloucestershire Police added that the victim fought back to protect members of his family, wrestling on the stairs with Acaree Cosgill who had a zombie knife.
In the process he was smashed over the head with a glass by Jahmya Farrell, sustaining lacerations to his head.
The suspects fled the scene and the victim’s mother took him to A&E with an arterial bleed.
Police say he was left with two permanent scars to his head and mental health issues as a result of the attack.
The suspects were witnessed fleeing by police officers, who were in the area at the time, and were quickly in pursuit.
Police Dog Fury helped officers find July hiding in a bush, Farrell lay under a car and Powell hidden in a wooded area.
July, Esa Hussain, Musa Hussain, Powell and Farrell were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
Police enquiries, including a review of CCTV footage, identified the others and they were arrested and charged later.
The gang stole items including a Canada Goose coat, Apple MacBook, £800 in cash, two designer bags and two designer beanie hats.
Examination of their phones showed the robbery to be planned, and the victim stated four or five of them were in possession of zombie knives.
A knife sheath was also located with Crossgill’s DNA on it.
Detective Constable Lia Williams of Hereford CID said: “We are pleased to get lengthy sentences for this knife-carrying gang who travelled into our city to carry what was a planned violent robbery on their victim to steal high value items.
“Knives have no place on our streets. Carrying them can have devastating consequences and those who carry them can expect to feel the full force of the law.”