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A prolific pickpocket who would slip his hands into passengers’ bags on the London Underground before slyly walking from the scene has been jailed for his crimes.

Laurentiu-Valentin Trocan, of Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham , has found himself locked up for 30 months following a British Transport Police investigation.

Police first became aware of him on January 21 this year, after a victim had a purse stolen at Piccadilly Circus station. The same day, he also targeted another passenger at Holborn station, stealing a phone.

On February 9 the 38-year-old stole a mobile phone and a quantity of cash from a passenger on a train between Leicester Square station and Russell Square.

Then on March 15 and March 18 he stole mobile phones from passengers at Tottenham Court Road.

Trocan would always strike between 8pm and 10.30pm.

He was initially arrested on February 27, after plain clothes officers patrolling the network identified him as being wanted for theft. He was released on police bail as investigators prepared a case for trial, during which time he committed further offences.

When he returned from bail on April 11, he was arrested for the additional thefts.

During police interview, Trocan attempted to rubbish CCTV evidence, claiming the footage did not resemble him. However, in court he admitted the five counts of theft.

He was also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge when sentenced at the Old Bailey on July 5.

Detective Constable Jennifer Brown, from the British Transport Police, said: "Trocan is a blight for London Underground passengers, he is well known by police for this type of behaviour and I completely welcome this custodial sentence. Thanks to overwhelming evidence against him, he had no choice but to plead guilty to the five charges.

"Pickpockets should see this prison sentence as a warning. Trocan was identified thanks to our excellent plain clothed officers who routinely patrol the London Underground, they’re experts in identifying and cuffing offenders. We will continue to work hard to root out pickpocketing and ensure that perpetrators are handed tough sentences."