Two Southwark thieves have been jailed for a total of seven and a half years for conspiring to steal mobile phones.
Javed Khan, 27, of Camberwell Road and Jack Green, 21, of Elsted Street in Walworth, were both found guilty following a three week trial at Inner London Crown Court.
Green, who was imprisoned for four years, committed 38 thefts between January and October 2015 which were often snatches and on some occasions his victims were forced to the floor when he stole their mobile phones while riding mopeds or pedal cycles on the pavement.
CCTV showed Green would circle an area stalking victims using their phones who were unaware of his presence. He would then make a calculated approach and steal their device before making off at speed.
The court heard how on many occasions Khan, who was jailed for three and a half years, and Green would contact each other and meet, with Khan then taking the stolen handsets to sell on.
This pattern of offending stopped when Green broke his ankle and was incapable of walking. However when he had a cast fitted he continued offending, riding stolen mopeds and snatching phones whilst wearing an air boot.
Officer in Charge, PS Pathania of the Proactive Task Force Southwark, said: “This has been a long and complicated enquiry, unveiling a substantial pattern of offending and a long term agreement between the parties to steal phones for their own financial gain.
“I hope that the sentences imposed serve as a warning to criminals involved in similar offending.”
Nice to know the police managed to catch one. It’s so hard for them to do anything, as they’re not generally allowed to chase thieves on two wheels.
The pedant in me doubts the accuracy of the statement that this lad was stealing and riding ‘mopeds’. Motorcycles under 50cc aren’t typically attractive, or even very useful, to thieves. Mopeds are by definition under 50cc. It seems more likely he would have been stealing scooters (of any capacity available) because they’re easy to ride. Especially with a broken foot.