Matthew Grant Davies was sentenced at Swansea Magistrates Court
A LUGGAGE thief targeted London to Swansea trains stealing high-value electronic gadgets and designer goods, a court has heard.
Matthew Grant Davies struck twice in three days, lifting bags as the trains were travelling between Port Talbot and Neath, and making off with a haul of items including an Apple MacBook Pro laptop, a tablet computer, jewellery, Chanel make-up, Prada items in what police described as "planned, calculated thefts".
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Davies, of Oystermouth Road, Swansea, pleaded guilty to thefts on September 21 and 24 when he appeared at Swansea Magistrates Court.
In the first theft Davies took a pink case containing the Apple laptop and makeup, getting off the train at Neath and subsequently dumping the bag behind the town's station. Three days later he struck again, this time making off with a pink and purple floral suitcase which contained jewellery, an Android tablet, a Prada bag, and clothes.
The court heard the 20-year-old was tracked down by British Transport Police officers who pieced together CCTV footage of the incidents.
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Davies was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to pay a total of £1,150 compensation as well as £200 in victim surcharge and costs.
British Transport Police PC Jason Teear said: "These were planned, calculated thefts committed by a thief concerned only with his own gain.
"He stole property worth over £2,000 belonging to two innocent young women. One of the victims, in particular, was left extremely upset, as a number of the stolen items were family gifts with a significant amount of sentimental value attached to them.
"This case should serve as a stark warning to anyone who even considers removing someone else's property from a train with the intention of keeping it for themselves. The railway network is a CCTV-rich environment and it is simply not worth the risk: you will be identified and you will be caught. British Transport Police works hard to reduce the theft of passenger property."
He added: "Even though South Wales is one of the safest places in the UK to live and work, it's always worth reminding passengers to keep their belongings nearby when travelling and, where possible, to always keep their luggage in sight."
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/thief-target-luggage-on-london-to-swansea-trains/story-30003391-detail/story.html#uOoaQREa26vvDOyu.99
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