Three teenagers have been sentenced for a series of violent robberies carried out against New Year’s Eve revellers in Weston-super-Mare. Danius Melgailis, 18, Mohammed Ahmed, 19, and Henry Hathaway, 18—all residents of Weston-super-Mare—were convicted at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, April 17.
The trio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, grievous bodily harm, and criminal damage. Hathaway received a nine-year sentence, Melgailis eight years, and Ahmed seven years, all to be served in young offenders’ institutions.
In the early hours of January 1, between 4:45 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., the men drove around the town in a black Audi A3, targeting individuals either returning home from New Year’s Eve celebrations or heading to work. They confronted at least eight male victims aged 18 to 56, forcibly demanding valuables such as mobile phones, ear pods, bank cards, and cash. Their attacks involved the use of weapons and physical violence.
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Several victims required hospital treatment, with one man sustaining severe, life-changing injuries including a punctured lung, broken ribs, a fractured eye socket, a head injury, and permanent damage to his right eye—necessitating multiple surgeries.
The offenders also damaged a Mercedes, mistakenly believing it belonged to a victim, causing enough destruction for the vehicle to be deemed a total loss by insurers.
Judge Hart characterized the crime spree as a “rampage” marked by “truly appalling violence.” Superintendent Jen Appleford expressed hope that the sentences would offer some solace to the victims and their families, emphasizing that violent attacks of this nature will not be tolerated. She further stated that the police take such incidents very seriously and aim to reassure the community through decisive action.