Teenager Charged Following Belt Assault and Robbery

New Delhi, December 2, 2025: A London teenager has been formally charged with multiple serious offences following the widespread circulation of a disturbing video that showed a victim being violently assaulted with a belt at a student accommodation block in Leicester. The footage, which also implicated the individuals in a subsequent robbery, triggered immediate police action and national shock over the brazenness of the criminal acts documented on social media.

The Assault Footage Elicits Outrage

The incident, which reportedly took place on November 21 at The Tannery student accommodation on Bath Lane, Leicester, was captured on video and quickly posted online. The footage clearly showed a male victim being repeatedly struck with a trouser belt by another man, while simultaneously being subjected to verbal abuse. Reports accompanying the video alleged that the victim was also forced to transfer money from his bank account to his attackers.

The sheer brutality of the filmed assault and the accompanying robbery claims caused a firestorm of outrage, with the video being shared widely across platforms like X (Twitter). The visibility of the crime directly compelled law enforcement to act decisively.

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Multiple Robbery Charges Are Filed

Following an urgent investigation launched by Leicestershire Police, a 19-year-old from North London, identified as Richile Vangu of Bowes Road, New Southgate, was apprehended and subsequently charged. Vangu is facing an indictment of nine counts of robbery, four of which relate directly to the incident at the student block on Bath Lane.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the same group of men allegedly traveled 13 miles away to a second address in the Harborough District on the same night. There, they were accused of demanding that occupants hand over designer clothing and transfer additional money, leading to five more robbery charges against Vangu. The accused was also charged with one offence of intentional suffocation and appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court shortly after his arrest.

Universities and Management Respond

In the aftermath of the viral incident, both the student accommodation management and local universities issued statements. Fresh, the company managing The Tannery, asserted that a zero-tolerance approach to criminal behaviour was being maintained and confirmed the matter had been handed over to the police. They also stated that the person involved was not a resident of the property.

Both De Montfort University and the University of Leicester issued separate statements acknowledging the “deeply concerning videos” and confirming they were in close contact with the police. Both institutions indicated that neither the suspect nor the location shown was believed to be directly associated with their campuses, but efforts were being made to ensure that support was provided to any students affected by the ordeal.