Dapper armed robber who wore suit, bow tie and hat for £200 shop raid is arrested the next day when police spot him in the same outfit

Zohirul Haque, 39, raided an east London newsagents wearing a suit and bow tieHe was arrested in the same outfit the next day and has been jailed for 12 years

A sartorial armed robber who raided an east London newsagents while dressed in a suit and bow tie has been handed a 12-year jail term.

Zohirul Haque, 39, pointed a gun at terrified staff at the shop in Bethnal Green and was easily remembered by witnesses – who noted his fastidious dress sense.

The gunman was arrested the next day when officers spotted him in the same outfit.

Haque, of no fixed address, was convicted of armed robbery at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October last year and jailed for 12 years at a sentencing hearing this week.

The court heard how the brave shopkeeper managed to hit the panic alarm but Haque got away with a around £200 cash.

Zohirul Haque, 39, pointed a gun at terrified staff at the newsagents in Bethnal Green, east London, and was easily remembered by witnesses – who noted his fastidious dress sense

Haque, of no fixed address, was convicted of armed robbery at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October last year and jailed for 12 years at a sentencing hearing this week

Flying Squad officers were in the area the following day carrying out enquiries when one of them spotted a man dressed in a similar fashion.

Acting on his hunch, the detective followed Haque until back-up arrived and he was arrested.

He was wearing a suit with a handkerchief neatly poking out of his top pocket, a bow tie and a smart hat.

Detective Sergeant McGee, who made the arrest, said: ‘I was on my own in the area gathering evidence about this case, when I noticed a man in the street who matched the suspect’s description.

‘He stood out as he was wearing a really smart suit with a bow tie, and although it looked different to the one described by the victims, I immediately suspected this was the man we were looking for.

‘He was also wearing a rucksack identical to the one worn by the suspect.

‘Haque walked straight past me, and I called for colleagues to come to the scene. Meanwhile I followed him for five to ten minutes until they arrived, and he was then arrested.

‘You don’t often get days like that when it all falls into place, and that piece of luck helped to bring justice to the victims, although it took some further police work to secure the evidence we needed.’

After he was arrested, police officers bailed Haque to further build the case. Another witness came forward who was able to identify him as the suspect.

Officers were also able to identify him by CCTV. On Monday, 5 December he was rearrested and charged with armed robbery.

Unfortunately officers were not able to recover either the firearm or the cash.