SAMIR: SERIAL BAG SNATCHER SPARED JAIL

A serial bag snatcher who carried out a ‘sustained campaign’ against female tourists in London’s main shopping district has escaped jail.

Riad Samir, 36, stole nine women’s handbags in between June 2010 and February 2011 as they shopped and ate in and around Oxford Street.

He pocketed cash, bank cards and house keys from the often designer bags by using an unfolded map or a jacket to conceal the thefts.

One Swiss woman lost her passport when he bag was taken and a second victim was locked out of her home for three days after having her keys and mobile phone stolen.

All of the women were targeted in coffee shops, pubs and fast food restaurants on or near Oxford Street.

Today at Southwark Crown Court self-employed photographer Samir avoided immediate imprisonment and was given a 12 months jail term, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work..

Prosecutor Gary Pons told the court: ‘These nine counts represent a sustained campaign of bag snatching committed by this defendant in the centre of London and largely in the Oxford Street area.

‘This was a campaign that lasted between June 2010 and February 2011.

‘The victims were largely, but not exclusively, visitors or tourists.

‘Frequently this defendant stole bank cards, mobile phones, keys, sometimes passports and large quantities of cash.

‘All of his victims spoke of the difficulties they had in replacing their belongings and having to come to terms with the loss.’

Mr Pons said among the women targeted was Sina Yiu who had her bag taken in June 2010.

He said she had been in a Starbucks café, in South Molton Street, when Samir struck.

‘The defendant entered and this offence, as were many, was committed using an outstretched map to conceal his actions and to steal her bag.

‘It was a Chanel bag containing her purse, her iPhone, and her bank cards.

‘The total value was in the region of £1,900’.

He said a second woman, Sarah Price, was targeted on January 15, 2011.

‘Her bag contained her house keys, her driving licence, her mobile phone and her prescription glasses.

‘She was unable to contact her landlord after the theft and as a result was unable to get into her house for three days.’

For Samir defence counsel Jennifer Twite said her client had been suffering from depression but that there was ‘no obvious explanation’ for his offending.

Samir, of (22) Sandmere Road, in Clapham, south-west London, pleaded  guilty to nine counts of theft on July 6.