A "profilific pickpocket" who covered his hands in newspaper while stealing from women's handbags has been jailed.

Artus Namnieks, 35, of no fixed address, admitted three counts of theft and four counts of breaching an ASBO.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard Namnieks preyed on a 31-year-old victim from Wandsworth on September 5.

The victim felt a tugging on her handbag as she was boarding a southbound Northern line train from Stockwell station at 8.30pm.

Namnieks was standing directly behind her and was using a newspaper to cover his face.

He had stolen her mobile phone and immediately left the platform.

At 5pm the same day he struck again at London Bridge station.

A 22-year-old woman, from Norfolk, was standing on the northbound Northern line platform and Namnieks stood close behind her.

As she boarded the train he stole her mobile phone from her handbag and remained on the platform.

In another incident a woman from Southwark had her mobile phone stolen at Baker Street station on August 3.

Namnieks used a newspaper to disguise his actions while pinching the phone from her handbag.

On September 27 British Transport Police officers were patrolling the Victoria station and recognised Namnieks as the man wanted for theft.

He was arrested immediately and taken to a London police station, where he was further arrested for breaching an ASBO.

A judge sentenced Namnieks for 12 months in prison after her pleaded guilty to the charges.

Detective Constable Elaine Sexton, investigating officer, said: "Arturs Namnieks was a prolific pickpocket who used the busy environment and ‘concealed hand’ tactic to get close to his victims in order to dip into their bags.

"I hope his prison sentence sends a clear message that theft will not be tolerated."

 

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