A gang of armed robbers are facing lengthy jail sentences for a GBP2 million crime wave against the rich. Nicknamed The Prada Mob after their trademark footwear, they spent most nights trawling London's West End for likely victims in expensive cars.

Altogether, dozens were followed home and attacked on their doorsteps.In the worst case, Lady Homa Alliance lost an uninsured GBP1.3 million haul of gold coins and jewellery.

Most of it was in a safe she was forced to open after being warned that for every lie she told "we will cut off a finger".

Because the gang wore gloves and masks on every job, no forensic evidence was left for police to find. In fact, apart from their modis operandi, all officers initially knew for certain was their fondness for expensive footwear.

7 November 2003