An Arabic-speaking thief who sought-out soft targets in the West End and Chelsea - helping herself to female shoppers cash - has walked free from court with a slap on the wrist.
Saadia Zrideg, 54, of Cann House, Russell Road, West Kensington posed as a shopper in boutiques, pouncing when her victims tried on a pair of shoes and rifled through their handbags.
She pleaded guilty to stealing £5,000 from a woman in Next, Oxford Street on January 26 and attempting to steal a £200 Dior wallet from a shopper in Zara, Brompton Road, on April 10.
City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) heard the victim in Next left her handbag on a chair and her sister fortunately spotted Zrideg rifling through it.
The defendant tried to bluff her way out of being caught red-handed claiming: "I have no money, there is nothing," as she held the wad of cash.
She tried to flee the store with the money and was held by security staff.
Despite her arrest Zrideg was at it again three months later, removing a woman's wallet from her handbag as she tried on a pair of shoes, concealing it inside a T-shirt.
Again she tried to flee and was stopped by security staff.
Zrideg, who has twelve theft convictions, was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £225 costs.
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