A 48-year-old man was yesterday sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for stealing bags on trains from Kings Cross and London Paddington.

Anthony Hinton, of no fixed abode, targeted passengers sitting in first class and took their bags or coats from overhead luggage racks while they weren’t looking.

He then left the trains before they departed the stations – with many of the victims not realising until they reached their destinations.

Between September and October this year, he took items including wallets, a £350 Hugo Boss jacket, a £215 bag and large amounts of cash.

Hinton pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Investigating officer Det Con Kirsty Boggi said: “Hinton boarded trains at some of London’s busiest train stations and each time, went straight to the first class carriage of a train and took bags and coats while people weren’t looking.
“This was an offence he committed a number of times and so I am pleased he is now behind bars and prevented from doing this again.

“When he is released, Hinton will also be liable to arrest if found at Paddington or Kings Cross station or in any railway first class area.”