YouTube pranksters Trollstation jailed over fake robberies and kidnappings

YouTubers Trollstation jailed over fake robberies. Credit: Met Police

Members of the YouTube prankster group Trollstation have been jailed over fake robberies and kidnappings.

A group of men who staged a fake robbery at the National Portrait Gallery and Tate Gallery as part of an elaborate YouTube prank have been jailed.

Dramatic CCTV footage released today shows members of the public fleeing in terror from the National Portrait Gallery shortly after 3.30pm on 5 July 2015 when five men burst in with their faces covered and began shouting and screaming.

The men then turned to leave the gallery with framed artwork, giving the impression of a robbery.

No robbery had, however taken place. The men had entered the gallery with artwork props which they displayed as they made off. They proceeded to do the same at the Tate Gallery later that afternoon.

Four of the five men were arrested on the day of the incident for public order offences and pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 4 Public Order Act 1986, namely causing fear and provocation of violence. They were jailed today, Monday, 16 May at City of London Magistrates' Court.

Daniel Raymond Marcus Jarvis, 27 of Gravesend, Kent was jailed for 20 weeks for his role in the National Portrait Gallery incident and eight weeks for his involvement in the Tate Gallery offence. Both will run concurrently.

Endrit Ferizolli, 20, ofBrent was jailed for 16 weeks for his role in the National Portrait Gallery incident and eight weeks for his involvement in the Tate Gallery offence. Both will run concurrently at a Youth Offending Institute.

Ebenezer Mensah from SE15 was jailed for 18 weeks for his role in the National Portrait Gallery incident and eight weeks for his involvement in the Tate Gallery offence. Both will run concurrently.

Helder Gomes, 23, of Lambeth was jailed for 18 weeks for his role in the National Portrait Gallery incident and eight weeks for his involvement in the Tate Gallery offence. Both will run concurrently.

Dan Vahn Lee, 31, of Southwark was jailed in March for 12 weeks for his involvement in the National Portrait Gallery incident.

Two other men, aged 23 and 30, arrested in connection with the offences were released with no further action.