Platform Ponce: Pickpocket Caught By Cops

A pickpocket, who dipped a female commuter for her phone and was immediately captured by transport cops, has been jailed for six weeks.

Zakaria Cenouci, 23, nicked the iPhone X from the woman's coat pocket on the Victoria Line platform at King's Cross Underground Station at around 5.15pm on June 30.

Two undercover British Transport Police (BTP) officers were looking out for criminal activity on the platform and were onto the heartless thief even before the victim shouted out: “Hey!”

Cenouci did a quick u-turn and tried to flee the scene, but the officers caught him and returned the phone to the woman.

When searching the pickpocket officers also found a small quantity of a Class B drug.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court Cenouci pleaded guilty to theft and drug possession.

He was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay the victim £152.

Inspector Sharon Turner of BTP's Priority Crime Taskforce said: “This was a quick turn around by our officers. 

“From the immediate arrest of Cenouci to his charge and jailing soon after.

“Our team is committed to ensuring passengers can travel safely with their belongings.

“We’ll always ask the public to make the jobs of thieves more difficult by keeping a close eye on their own belongings and being aware that thieves do choose to operate in crowded environments, which can often mean busy railway stations.”