Moped Mugger Caught In 'Hue And Cry' Jailed

Moped Mug: Dean Flemming

A moped bandit who snatched a mobile phone, has been jailed after his victim gave chase and beat him up with the help of passers-by - all captured on video.

Serial thief Dean Flemming, 23, threatened to stab the have-a-go-heroes in Knightsbridge and spat into the face of one man who joined the old-fashioned hue and cry.

“People in London are frightened to get their phones out,” said Westminster District Judge Richard Blake, jailing Flemming for twenty-six weeks.

“These type of offences are prevalent throughout the UK and particularly in London,” he told him. “People get their phones out and they are snatched from them.

“I’m sorry you received injuries when invoking the rage of the person you stole from.”

Fleming, of Riversdale Road, Highbury appeared in custody wearing a hospital gown, with his right arm bandaged, describing his nationality as ‘white British.'

He pleaded guilty to stealing the phone from Omar Mahmoud; assaulting Patrick Mascott and riding the moped while disqualified and without insurance on April 6.

Caught In The Act, Fact: Flemming

Flemming, who has 50 previous convictions and was on licence from his latest prison sentence at the time, whined about his treatment from his captors.

“The victim and two friends beat him up so badly he ended up in hospital with injuries to his arm and ribs,” said Miss Sonia Antolin, defending.

The video clip, filmed in Cadogan Square, Knightsbridge, shows three men holding balaclava-wearing Flemming down on a car bonnet. 

Prosecutor Miss Carly Loftus told the court Mr. Mahmoud was out strolling with his girlfriend and was talking on his mobile phone.

“This defendant approached from behind on a black moped and snatched the phone and rode off.

“The victim and other passers-by gave chase, keeping the defendant in sight, and they caught up with him when he crashed the moped into an Audi car, ripping off it’s wing mirror. 

“He resisted their attempts to try and restrain him, by flailing his arms around and spat in the mouth and face of Mr. Mascott.

“He was shouting at them: ‘I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife.’

“He asked them to let him go and told Mr. Mahmoud: ‘Your phone is over there.’

Future Not Bright: Flemming 

“It was an opportunistic snatch although there is some planning and he has previous for it and was aggressive when detained.”

This was recorded and posted on the internet by a passer-by.

The moped’s VIN had been erased to prevent proper identification and Flemming was already disqualified from driving until July 6, next year.

The court heard his last prison sentence was for a series of thefts and attempted thefts, plus aggravated taking and driving away and dangerous driving.

He has now also been recalled to prison to serve the remainder of that sentence after being released early on licence last September.

Fleming received twenty-six weeks for the theft, plus sixteen weeks for the assault and driving while disqualified offence to run concurrently.

He must pay a fine of £500 or serve one day in custody for having no insurance, pay £300 compensation to Mr. Mascott, £85 costs and received six penalty points on his driving licence.