Thief Jailed For Stealing Family's Holiday Suitcase

A heartless thief, who ruined a family's holiday when stealing one of their suitcases as they travelled by train to Gatwick airport, has been locked-up.

Ayoub Alshirredi, 31, of Alexandra Road in Hounslow also boarded the train at London Bridge at approximately 2.00pm on October 27, last year.

The suitcase was stored on an overhead shelf and Alshirredi deliberately sat under it.

When the train stopped at East Croydon he simply carried it from the carriage without the family noticing.

At Willesden Magistrates' Court Alshirredi was sentenced to sixteen weeks' imprisonment, having pleaded guilty to theft at an earlier hearing.

Once the train arrived at Gatwick, the family realised the bag was missing and reported the incident to British Transport Police (BTP). 

Officers launched an investigation and identified Alshirredi as the man responsible for the offence. 

He was arrested four months later on February 27 and taken into police custody for questioning.

In spite of the CCTV footage clearly showing Alshirredi making off with the suitcase, he replied 'no comment' in interview to all questions put to him.

BTP Police Constable Imogen Gates said: "I'm pleased that the court have taken Alshirredi’s offending seriously and imposed a custodial sentence. 

“His actions were self-serving and opportunistic, as he targeted a young family going on holiday.

“In thinking only about himself, he put the family through considerable anxiety and stress, so I hope that they can feel a sense of closure now justice has been served.

"We take every report seriously, and anyone who witnesses or is the victim of a crime on the railway is encouraged to report it by texting us on 61016."