Nineteen year old Richile Vangu of London has been charged with five counts of robbery relating to an incident in the Harborough district on 21 November, and four further robbery counts connected to another incident on 22 November in Bath Lane, Leicester. He also faces a charge of intentional suffocation. Officers stated that he appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on 29 November and was remanded into custody.

A spokesperson said officers had worked swiftly across both scenes to gather evidence and identify those involved, adding that enquiries into the full circumstances remain ongoing.

One of the incidents involved a particularly disturbing assault in which a man was hit with a belt before being forced to transfer money by bank transfer. Police previously confirmed that another nineteen year old had been arrested earlier in connection with the Bath Lane incident, although he was later released on bail while further investigation continued.

Earlier reports indicated that during the Bath Lane robbery a group of men entered a property and assaulted the occupant. The victim stated he had been struck multiple times with a belt and coerced into making a payment under pressure. The day before, in the Harborough incident, victims were reportedly threatened before having cash and designer items taken from them.

The assaults and the nature of the threats have sparked concern among the public, with many unsettled by the apparent level of violence involved. The footage that circulated online showing part of the belt assault drew widespread attention, with viewers expressing shock at the level of force used during the robbery.

Police have urged anyone with additional information to come forward, stating that the charges laid against Vangu reflect the seriousness of the investigation. Officers continue to work on building a full picture of both incidents, and the case will now progress through the courts where decisions on guilt and sentencing will be determined.