Bank robber jailed after Flying Squad identify him by 'deformed' ear after CCTV breakthrough

A bank robber has been jailed after detectives seized CCTV footage which showed his getaway from a raid in south-east London, with his “deformed” left ear leading to his identification.

Mohammed Basheeru, 44, raided a high street bank in Sydenham on February 14 where an accomplice threatened staff with a gun and the masked pair plundered cash.

Officers from the Met’s Flying Squad, who specialise in armed robberies, tracked their getaway car from nearby Venner Road and linked it to Basheeru, who was arrested at his Croydon home.

He was sentenced to 12 year for robbery at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday.

Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad seized CCTV footage which captured the two men four minutes later in a road close to the incident, leaving in a car, away from the scene.

Officers established that the same vehicle was used to collect Basheeru from his home address before travelling towards the bank.

CCTV footage inside the bank showed suspects carrying out the raid.

Officers were able to identify Basheeru using the footage by the slight deformity on his left ear, as he was already known to them.

The evidence collected led to Basheeru being interviewed where he denied any involvement in the robbery.

He was charged with the offence and pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on April 9.

Dorian Rankine, 43, from Thornton Heath, appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, January 27, 2023, where he pleaded guilty to robbery and two other unrelated robberies. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Detective Constable, Craig Prout from the Flying Squad said: “This was a terrifying incident for the people involved. We’re grateful for their support, which has now meant that the two offenders have been brought to justice.”