Call of Duty led to Brighton computer game player solving real-life robbery

A computer game player in Brighton was helped by the Call of Duty to solve a real-life robbery when two thugs interrupted his online mission.

He heard two armed robbers force their way into a flat 25 miles away and threaten to shoot his playing companions.

But they didn’t realise that they were being overheard by someone who was raising the alarm.

Jay Georgiou, 19, and his accomplice tied up three people at gunpoint and knifepoint, and robbed them at a property in Tenterden Close, Eastbourne.

Jay Georgiou

During the robbery Georgiou even took a call from his probation officer who called because the violent crook had missed an appointment.

The robbers demanded drugs and money but they had broken into the wrong address.

They grabbed a laptop, mobile phones, the Xbox and some games and left.

Sussex Police said that officers tracked down Georgiou from his description and arrested him in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne, about two hours after the robbery at 6.55pm on Tuesday 1 April.

Georgiou, of Northbourne Road, Eastbourne, was convicted of robbery and having an imitation firearm when he appeared in court.

He was jailed for eight years at Brighton Crown Court on Friday 11 July and ordered to pay £120 costs.

Detectives are still trying to identify the other man involved. He was wearing a ski mask or balaclava and was thought to be white, 20 to 25 years old and with ginger hair.

Detective Constable Richard Holder said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victims who appear to have been targeted entirely by mistake.

“The robbers were brutal in their treatment of the friends but Georgiou even stopped during the incident to take a phone call from his probation officer as he had missed an appointment.

“We will continue to work to track down the other robber involved so that he too can face justice like Georgiou.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.