CHIGWELL: Teenager jailed for part in robbery which ended in policeman's death

Austin Ante-Taylor, 19, of Oak Lodge Avenue, Chigwell, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday (December 4) for his involvement in a heist on April 11 this year - which led indirectly to the death of firearms officer PC Gary Toms.

The teenager was one of a gang of four convicted of stealing a laptop, camera and camcorder from a property in Dagenham, after beating up the 30-year-old owner and telling him they were armed with a gun.

The group then escaped in a silver Chrysler but were stopped in Stratford by an armed response vehicle containing PC Toms, who died of head injuries after he stepped out of the car to speak to them.

It is not known exactly how the 37-year-old was injured and none of the gang was charged with causing his death.

Three of the robbers were arrested at the scene, with Ante-Taylor finally being caught by police three days later.

Ante-Taylor and two other gang members were found guilty of robbery after a two week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Temitope Iyiola, aged 20, of no fixed abode was sentenced to nine years in prison for robbery, 12 months for dangerous driving (to run consecutively), nine months for fraud and three months for handling stolen goods (both of which will run concurrently).

He was also banned from driving for three years.

Mary Fowler, aged 21 of Ibex House, Forest Lane, Stratford was jailed for eight years.

Mansour-Jacques Jallow, aged 26 of no fixed abode, was sentenced to six years in jail having earlier pleading guilty to robbery.

DCI Mick Broster, who led the investigation, said: "The aftermath of the incident led to the death of PC Gary Toms, a much-respected officer, and although there is no suggestion the defendants were directly responsible, our thoughts remain with his family as undoubtedly this court case will have brought back to them the events of that night."

An inquest into PC Tom's death will be held at Walthamstow Coroner's Court in January 2010.