Teen who cycled around Islington snatching women’s phones jailed

A teenager who cycled around central London and robbed two women of their mobile phones has been jailed for two years and eight months.

The court heard how Harry Stevens, 19 (21.10.98) of Alderney House, Islington N1 committed his first offence on Wednesday, 2 May at 14:15hrs. He rode past a girl – who was looking at her phone – as she waited to cross Shaftesbury Avenue. As he did so, he snatched the phone from her hand with force and rode off.

Shortly after, on the same day, he rode past a woman at a bus stop in High Holborn who was checking her phone. Again, Stevens rode past and snatched it from her hand with such force she fell to the ground.

Stevens was weaving in and out of traffic, but was stopped and detained by brave members of the public who spotted what he had done and heard the second robbery victim calling out.

This victim approached Stevens and demanded her phone back. He claimed that he didn’t have it. A member of the public then said they would dial the victim’s number. At this point, Stevens produced two stolen phones.

He then attempted to make off and escape, running down Chancery Lane. Officers were on route and were able to catch and arrest him.

He was charged and remanded in custody to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Friday, 4 May.

He pleaded guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court on Monday, 23 July and was sentenced the same day.

He also received a Criminal Behaviour Order which will run for five years and stipulates that he cannot:

– Use a pedal cycle in a public place;

– Associate with certain individuals in a public place;

-Not to be in possession of more than one mobile phone/sim card and that that should be registered on the www.immobilise.com website.

PC Gill Simpson, from Islington, said: “Stevens was an opportunist thief who thought he could target those using their phones in busy areas. He used force and had no regard for the victims from which he stole.

“I would like to praise the bravery of those members of the public who intervened and would remind all those using phones whilst out and about to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, report all thefts and robberies and help safeguard their property by registering their device on the www.immobilise.comwebsite.”