A THIEF from Harlesden who threatened Tube passengers before robbing their cash and mobile phones has been jailed for three years and eight months.
Corey Smith, of Bramshill Road, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in south-east London on Wednesday last week (May 5) after earlier admitting five counts of robbery, one of attempted robbery, and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.
He struck between December 10 2009 and January 2 this year and all the offences took apart from one took place on Central line trains around Northolt.
The 19-year-old was arrested at Northolt station at about 11.15pm on January 2 by British Transport Police (BTP) officers who recognised him from a description given by the victim of a robbery earlier the same day.
Smith was searched and found to be in possession of a lock knife and some old type £20 notes he had stolen from the victim.
BTP investigating officer Detective Sergeant Terry Botten said: "Smith threatened his victims with violence before forcing them to hand over their possessions.
"On each occasion he was extremely aggressive and intimidating and either produced a knife or intimated he had a weapon to get his victims to do as he told.
"Smith admitted his crimes after he was picked out at identity parades by his victims and confronted with closed-circuit television (CCTV) evidence, which placed him at the scenes in question."
Det Sgt Botten continued: "While violent crime on the Tube is very rare, any incident like this is unacceptable.
"These robberies were extremely frightening ordeals for the victims and in some cases were extremely violent.
"Overwhelming evidence has helped to secure the conviction of a dangerous individual and we welcome the custodial sentence that has been imposed."
Howard Collins, chief operating officer of London Underground, said: "We are glad that our station CCTV has helped bring Smith to justice, stopping him from carrying out any more of his attacks.
"This sentence should reassure our passengers that both London Underground and the courts take these types of offences seriously and should serve as a reminder to criminals that we will identify them and bring them to justice."
