The ringleader of a gang that robbed 38 train passengers in one month was jailed today for at least four years.

Abubaker Egah, from Croydon, admitted carrying out four robberies, two thefts and one assault causing actual bodily harm between April 1 and May 6 this year.

Sentencing Egah at Kingston Crown Court, Judge Matheson handed the 19-year-old an indeterminate sentence and ordered him to serve a minimum of four years.

During sentencing Judge Matheson told Egah: "Members of the public are entitled to use the public transport system without the fear of encountering people like you.

"I consider you to be a danger to the public, particularly to those people travelling on the railway."

Egah was part of a four-strong Somalian gang that threatened and robbed passengers travelling on trains between Sutton and Victoria.

Among his crimes Egah used a belt to attack a man who had been standing on a train with his pregnant partner after the commuter asked Egah to put out his cigarette.

On another occasion Egah was found in possession of a firearm which he used during at least one robbery.

Detective Constable Daren Bates, of the British Transport Police's London South Robbery Squad, said: "Over a period of one month, Egah was responsible for approximately 24 offences of robbery, attempted robbery and assault with intent to rob some 38 victims, some of whom were as young as 13 at the time the offences were committed."

He added: "Some of these offences have been extremely violent, and while they are rare on the railway network, without the commitment of these victims it would be impossible for the police to pursue a prosecution."