Former Shomrim Stamford Hill member convicted over false robbery claims
Michael Scher admitted to perverting the course of justice
Two men have been convicted of falsely accusing two teens of a robbery in North London.
Delivery driver Thiago Alves, 38, and ex-Shomrim member Michael Sher, 32, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Wood Green Crown Court.
Former Shomrim member Yaakov Nowogrodski, 27, was charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and false imprisonment but failed to attend court.
Nowogrodski is believed to have fled abroad and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Alves was handed down a sentence of eight months’ imprisonment, while Sher was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment suspended for two years on Monday.
The Met Police received reports two teenagers were detained for a robbery in Stamford Hill by members of the neighbourhood watch group in July 2017.
Officers were told on arrival that the teens, aged 13 and 15, pushed Alves and demanded his moped keys.
Police arrested the two teenagers at the scene and took them to a police station where they were kept in custody for 16 hours.
But CCTV of the incident completely disproved the story.
Met Police Detective Sergeant James Leeks said: “Why these men decided to fabricate this case may never be explained.
“However, abusing the criminal justice system in such an underhand manner is disgraceful.
“Those responsible for this despicable deception will now have to face the consequences of their actions.”
Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, president of Stamford Hill Shomrim, said the members involved were immediately suspended, adding that all members are DBS checked.
“Their behaviour fell way below the standards expected from any of our volunteers and was a serious aberration,” he said.
“Since this incident nearly two years ago, Shomrim have provided it’s dedicated volunteers with extra training, to further ensure integrity comes first and foremost.
“We deeply regret the distress caused to these young men and we send them our best wishes.”
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