Two moped muggers who targeted women walking alone at night in west London have been told by top judges they cannot complain about their sentences.

Joynul Ali and Hamza El-Guerbouzi, both 20 and from Westminster, failed in their attempts to get their jail term reduced at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday (October 11).

The pair struck nine times on three separate occasions in December last year, with eight of their victims women.

Ali drove the stolen scooter, while El-Guerbouzi rode pillion, as they targeted victims in the Marylebone, Maida Vale and Lancaster Gate areas on December 7, 14 and 22.

One woman who was walking along Abbey Road in St John’s Wood, was knocked unconscious after being knocked to the ground as falling to El-Guerbouzi tried to grab her handbag.

She sustained a broken collarbone during the “terrifying” incident, Mr Justice Turner told the Court of Appeal.

El-Guerbouzi, from Ashmore Road in Paddington, was caught on CCTV as he used a victim’s bank card to withdraw money from an ATM 15 minutes after one robbery.

Ali is behind bars for five years

He and Ali were seen using the same card to buy food at a McDonald’s in Kilburn High Road, north west London, 10 minutes later.

Ali was arrested at his home in Tavistock Crescent, Westbourne Park, on January 9, while El-Guerbouzi was stopped near Hyde Park the following day, carrying a knife.

Police recovered property stolen during the robberies from both their homes.

Caught on camera: Joynul Ali

In July, Ali was locked up for five years at Southwark Crown Court after admitted conspiracy to rob, and was locked up for five years at Southwark Crown Court.

El-Guerbouzi was jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob.

He also admitted having a bladed article in a public place.

But the pair tried to have their sentences cut, with their lawyers arguing they were far too tough.

19-year-old El-Guerbouzi was jailed for 10 years

They claimed the judge was wrong to treat their case more seriously after hearing evidence from a police officer about the rise of moped crime in London.

But the duo’s complaints were rejected by three senior judges, who could find no fault in the sentences passed.

Mr Justice Turner, sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, said the use of mopeds in such crimes had the potential to cause serious injury to victims and bystanders.

El-Guerbouzi was caught on camera wearing a distinctive helmet

There was, he added, a “strong temptation” for criminals to use scooters - which were often stolen - as they could disguise themselves without attracting suspicion by wearing helmets.

The judge concluded: “We find that the sentence passed in each case, although robust, was not manifestly excessive and these appeals are dismissed.”

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can even set it to receive push notifications for all the breaking news in your area.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android now!