Robbing Grindr Users While Wearing Clown Masks
Two British men are being sent to spend 15 and a half years (combined) in jail after they robbed gay men they met off of Grindr.
20-year-old Keiran Grant and 19-year-old Aidon Murthick from Leeds are regretting using Grindr to target and rob gay men/
The two men went through trial at Leeds Crown Court and admitted to charges of robbery and attempted robbery. On top of that, Murthick pleaded guilty of possession of an offensive weapon.
In defense of Grant, Michael Collins, Grant’s lawyer, said: “He is remorseful for his conduct. The role he took was directed by others higher up the chain.”
Meanwhile, Murthick’s lawyer tried to use Murthick’s unfortunate life experiences as an excuse for his crimes, “At the time of the offences he wasn’t in work. He was effectively homeless and receiving very little support.”
But what exactly were the crimes? According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the two men committed them twice.
More: British Teens Dodge Jail Time After Assaulting A Gay Traveler
The first time was in December of 2016. Murthick contacted a 21-year-old man on Grindr with the lie that he wanted to have sex.
When the man from Grindr met up with Murthick, he was surprised to find himself held at gunpoint by Grant who wore as balaclava.
“He told (the victim) to get out of the car and lie on the floor. He said this while he was pointing the gun at him and he asked for the keys to the car and for money,” said prosecutor Christine Egerton during a hearing at Leeds Crown Court.
Murthick and Greant then drove away with the stolen vehicle, but not much later they ditched the car and it was found by authorities the next day.
The second occasion happened in January of 2017 when Murthick again targeted a man off of Grindr. Once everyone was at the assigned meetup spot, Murthick and Grant stormed the car while wearing clown masks and carrying weapons (Grant carrying a shovel and Murthick carrying what looked like a gun wrapped up in a towel).
While the two men got away with the car, they were later caught by police later that day.
Now that the two have been convicted as guilty, Murthick and Grant will spend eight and a half and seven years respectively in a young offenders institution.
h/t: PinkNews
