Square Mile Parasites Locked-Up

A pair of prolific bag thieves, who targeted people in the pubs, bars and restaurants of the City of London, have been sent to prison.

Khaled Behaz, 25, (pic. l.) of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and two counts of fraud by false representation.

He was sentenced to two years and three months in prison and he was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from entering the Square Mile for five years.

Yacoub Leulmi, 26, (pic. r.) of no fixed abode, who stole a bag with Behaz from a pub on Ludgate Hill on Thursday, July 17, last year received twelve months imprisonment.

Behaz also pleaded guilty to a public order offence, after being verbally abusive to staff at a restaurant in St. Paul’s Churchyard on Wednesday, July 9, last year.

Also on July 9, CCTV footage showed Behaz going into a restaurant on Bread Street and taking a laptop at the reception area of the premises.

Police Constable Sachin Kumar, of the Volume Crime Unit of the City of London Police, said: “Opportunistic crimes, such as bag and phone thefts, will have a significant impact on the people who had their possessions stolen.

“We are determined to bring those committing crimes in the City to justice and we will use all our resources to help prevent and deter any further criminal activities.

“We hope that this CBO and sentence will give reassurance to businesses and to people who work, live and visit the City.”

Behaz also pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• Theft of a bag on May 298, last year at a pub on Watling Street.

• Theft of a bag on June 12, last year at a pub on West Smithfield.

• Theft of a bag on July 10, last year at a pub on Moorgate.

• Two counts of fraud by false representation after attempting to use a stolen bank card on May 28 and using a different stolen bank card on June 12, last year.