A MAN WHO pointed a rifle at police and was tackled by a group of vigilantes dubbed “The Magnificent Seven” has pleaded guilty in a London Court.
30-year-old Al-Fodday Fofanah attempted to rob the Barclays Bank on Borough High Street in London last July.
After threatening staff with a rifle and failing to get any money, he fled.
A police commander had just left the bank and gave chase.
The Commander, along with the bank’s assistant manager Dean Smith and Michael Duncan – a trainee Ambulance driver – followed Fofanah.
Whilst following him they saw a transit van driven by John Girton – a roofer. He mounted the pavement and pulled up in front of Fofanah. Mr Girton and his colleague Errol Gray had witnessed Fofanah leaving the bank and presumed it was a terrorist incident and decided to apprehend him.
The van knocked Fofanah down and he was forced to flee down a nearby alleyway. As he ran off he aimed the gun at the van. Mr Girton and Mr Gray got out of their vehicle and followed the suspect through a series of alleys and walkways into St Thomas Street.
The incident was noticed by an ice-cream vendor who left his van to join the chase. Two security guards at a hospital also gave chase. When the suspect pulled the rifle from the bag, one of the security guards grabbed the barrel and the three men disarmed him.
When police arrived, they found the weapon was an imitation.
All seven men were awarded a Commissioners Commendation for their bravery. Fofanah will be sentenced in February.
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