Adel Kerari Jailed for Hammersmith Tube Robberies

Key Points

• Adel Kerari, 27, of Lisgar Terrace, Hammersmith and Fulham, sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Inner London Crown Court on 9 January 2026.​
• Kerari pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and one count of fraud by false representation.
• Crimes occurred over an 11-day spree in June 2023 across London Underground stations: Holborn, Chancery Lane, Leicester Square, Russell Square, Notting Hill, Shepherd’s Bush, Piccadilly Circus, and Leyton.
• Group targeted lone commuters using violence or threats to steal phones, wallets, headphones.
• First incident: 1 June 2023, woman cornered on train to Holborn, followed, pushed, punched in face, robbed of phone and headphones.
• Separate incident: Two robberies in 10 minutes – phone and wallet at Leicester Square, phone at Russell Square.​
• Final incident: 11 June 2023, man pushed to ground at Leyton, robbed of phone and wallet; bank card used at off-licence hours later by Kerari and others.
• Kerari identified in 2023 but fled UK; arrested 4 September 2025 at west London address upon return.
• Co-conspirators – Musa Lebdiri, 21, of Fry Road, Harlesden; Normane Draachour, 24, of no fixed address; Ali Mansour, 21, of Meadow Cross, Hatfield; Brandon Reeves, 20, of The Croft, Wembley – sentenced in 2023 and 2024 to combined over 10 years.​
• Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins called group “cowardly”, emphasised CCTV use, patrols, priority on Tube robberies.

fulham/hammersmith/">hammersmith-and-fulham/">Hammersmith and Fulham (West London News) January 23, 2026 – Adel Kerari, a 27-year-old resident of Lisgar Terrace in Hammersmith and Fulham, has been jailed for two years and eight months following a violent robbery spree on the London Underground.

The sentence, handed down at Inner London Crown Court on 9 January 2026, relates to offences committed in June 2023, where Kerari and accomplices targeted vulnerable passengers across multiple stations. British Transport Police described the group’s actions as a “cowardly” 11-day crime wave, preying on lone travellers.

Who is Adel Kerari and what was his sentence?

Adel Kerari, aged 27 from Lisgar Terrace, Hammersmith and Fulham, appeared at Inner London Crown Court on 9 January 2026. He received two years and eight months in custody after pleading guilty to six counts of robbery and one count of fraud by false representation.

As detailed in coverage by the Chiswick Calendar, Kerari committed these acts alongside several other young men during a concentrated period in June 2023. The Evening Standard reported him as the “violent leader” of the phone-snatching gang, noting his flight from the UK post-crimes.

The DPSimulation UK Railway News article confirms the sentencing followed his return to the UK in 2025, with arrest on 4 September 2025 at a west London address. Co-conspirators faced justice earlier, jailed in 2023 and 2024 for a combined total exceeding 10 years’ imprisonment.

What stations were targeted in the Tube robberies?

The robberies spanned eight London Underground stations: Holborn, Chancery Lane, Leicester Square, Russell Square, Notting Hill, Shepherd’s Bush, Piccadilly Circus, and Leyton. The group moved systematically from station to station, focusing on lone passengers.

British Transport Police highlighted in their reports how the perpetrators exploited the network’s layout to intimidate victims swiftly. Coverage across sources, including Hounslow Herald and Yahoo UK News, lists these locations consistently, underscoring the spree’s breadth across central, west, and east London.

What happened in the first robbery on 1 June 2023?

The spree began on 1 June 2023 at Holborn station. As reported in DPSimulation UK Railway News, a woman was cornered by the group on a train heading towards Holborn. Upon leaving the train, she was followed towards the escalator and through the station, then pushed from behind, punched in the face, and robbed of her mobile phone and headphones before the group fled.

The Evening Standard provided further detail, naming this as the moment where Adel Kerari’s gang first struck violently, with the victim alighting to escape only to be assaulted. Hounslow Herald echoed this account precisely, noting the pursuit through the station.[ from query]​

How did the group commit two robberies in 10 minutes?

On a separate night during the 11-day period, the group executed two robberies within just 10 minutes. First, at Leicester Square, they robbed a victim of their phone and wallet. They then travelled by train to Russell Square, where a second person lost their phone.​

Chiswick Calendar coverage aligns, describing the rapid transition between these central London stations as part of their targeting lone travellers strategy. This efficiency in striking multiple victims highlighted the coordinated nature of the offences.

What was the final incident at Leyton station?

The series culminated on 11 June 2023 at Leyton Underground station. A man was pushed to the ground and attacked, with the group stealing his phone and wallet. Hours later, the victim’s bank card was used at an off-licence by Kerari and others, linking him directly to the fraud charge.

As per DPSimulation’s detailed report, this incident marked the end of the spree, with British Transport Police using CCTV and transaction records for identification. The Evening Standard corroborated the assault and subsequent card misuse.

Why did it take so long to arrest Adel Kerari?

Kerari was identified by officers in 2023, but investigations revealed he had fled the country. British Transport Police waited for his return in 2025 before acting, raiding an address in west London and arresting him on 4 September 2025.

Chiswick Calendar noted officers “had to wait until last year to arrest him,” emphasising his evasion tactics. This delay underscores the challenges in international pursuits, yet determination led to his court appearance.

Who were Kerari’s co-conspirators and what sentences did they receive?

Kerari did not act alone; his accomplices included Musa Lebdiri, 21, of Fry Road, Harlesden; Normane Draachour, 24, of no fixed address; Ali Mansour, 21, of Meadow Cross, Hatfield; and Brandon Reeves, 20, of The Croft, brent/wembley/">Wembley. These individuals were sentenced in 2023 and 2024 to a combined total of more than 10 years’ imprisonment.

The Evening Standard provided the full list of names and addresses, attributing their punishments to participation in the same robberies. Multiple outlets, including DPSimulation and Hounslow Herald, confirmed the aggregate sentencing without individual breakdowns.

What did Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins say about the case?

Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins, the investigating officer, stated: “Criminals like Kerari should know that we’ll make sure they face justice for the crimes they inflict on members of the public. Tackling robbery on the London Underground is a top priority for us, and we’re working around the clock to catch offenders and ensure they have their day in court.”

He further remarked:

“Kerari and the rest of the cowardly group worked together to intimidate and target passengers across London for their own benefit. The rail network is covered by extensive CCTV, which we successfully used to prove that they were behind this 11-day crime spree.”

Gittins added:

“Our uniformed and plain-clothes teams patrol the rail network every day to deter robbery and keep passengers safe. Fortunately, incidents like this are rare, but we take every report of robbery extremely seriously and will continue to come down hard on those who use the railway network for criminal gain.”

How did British Transport Police investigate the robberies?

British Transport Police relied on extensive CCTV coverage across the rail network to link Kerari and his group to the crimes. Uniformed and plain-clothes patrols deter such offences daily, with immediate response urged via 999 calls.​

As per DPSimulation UK Railway News, officers identified Kerari in 2023 despite his flight, using bank records from the Leyton robbery for the fraud charge. The Evening Standard detailed the arrest footage, showing the raid’s execution.

Are Tube robberies common in London and what measures are in place?

Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins noted: “Fortunately, incidents like this are rare,” but stressed every report is taken seriously. Tackling Underground robbery remains a top priority, with round-the-clock efforts to apprehend offenders.

Patrols by uniformed and plain-clothes teams, combined with CCTV, ensure passenger safety, as outlined in police statements across Chiswick Calendar and DPSimulation reports. Victims are encouraged to dial 999 immediately for rapid deployment.

This case exemplifies law enforcement’s resolve against transit crime, bringing closure to victims after over two years. The full accountability of the group, including Kerari’s eventual capture, sends a clear message to potential offenders. Coverage from British Transport Police social channels, including Facebook and Instagram, reinforced the sentencing on 22 January 2026.