World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Gang associate avoids prison after knives found at his home
Carl Robinson was given a community order, not prison, after pleading guilty to possessing three knives at his home.
The 49-year-old, known as “The Dread,” was arrested during a September police operation targeting an organised crime network.
Officers found three knives in a kitchen drawer at his home, including a karambit and two flick knives.
Robinson has previous convictions for possessing weapons, including an earlier case involving eight weapons found at his home.
Prison overcrowding reforms were cited as the reason he avoided jail, despite his record.
The wider investigation is examining suspected financial offences and a conspiracy to cause serious injury linked to the Hunt Syndicate.
Robinson and 17 others remain on police bail as that investigation continues.
Carl “The Dread” Robinson avoided prison after admitting to possessing three knives found at his home, with the Daily Mail attributing the outcome to prison overcrowding.
The knives were found in a kitchen drawer during a search of Robinson’s home on September 29.
Robinson pleaded guilty to the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 1.
The search took place during a wider investigation into an organised crime network linked to David “Long Fella” Hunt.
Robinson and 17 others remained on police bail in connection with the wider investigation, according to the Daily Mail.
- Who
- Carl “The Dread” Robinson, 49, an associate of David Hunt.
- What
- He admitted possessing three knives found at his home and avoided prison.
- When
- The knives were found on September 29. Robinson pleaded guilty on October 1; the article says sentencing took place on Monday.
- Where
- At Robinson’s home, described as a country cottage, and at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
- Why
- The Daily Mail said he avoided prison because of reforms to tackle prison overcrowding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Robinson was convicted of possessing a firearm, according to the court.
Robinson received two separate 12-month prison sentences for carrying a bladed article in a public place.
Robinson was found with an array of weapons during an earlier search of his home.
He received a 12-month rehabilitation order and was ordered to pay £4,085 in fines, costs and victim surcharge for the earlier weapons offences.
Officers searched Robinson’s home and found three knives in a kitchen drawer.
Robinson pleaded guilty to possessing the three knives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
- Robinson’s age
- 49
- Knives found in 2026 search
- One karambit knife and two flick knives
- Location of knives
- Kitchen drawer at Robinson’s home
- Earlier weapons offences
- Eight counts admitted at Thames Magistrates’ Court on April 10, 2025
- Earlier sentence
- 12-month rehabilitation order; £4,085 in fines, costs and victim surcharge
- Wider investigation
- Around 800 officers raided 24 properties in September
What people are saying
It is fair to say the majority of his convictions are for weapons of some kind which is clearly aggravating.
The idea I'm going to be waiting outside a police station to off three police - they're the biggest firm. I'd be gone.
Davey's a private man. He's 65. I'm 49. He's enjoying his grandkids. I got my kids. He's more of a recluse than I am.