A 21-year-old man has been jailed for a string of thefts in which he used a moped to snatch mobile phones from his victims, including five offences in Westminster .

Cavell Hutson, of Highbury New Park N5, was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison for 21 mobile phone snatch thefts during an hour-long spree in London.

Hutson and an accomplice rode a moped with number plates from another vehicle on September 3 to steal phones in Camden, Islington, Hackney, Westminster and Tower Hamlets.

Police searching for accomplice

The pair were pursued by the police helicopter


The Metropolitan Police are still searching for the accomplice and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Detective chief inspector Chief Steve Heatley said: “This was an excellent result, which has seen a perpetrator of an audacious crime, which not only endangered members of the public but himself and his accomplice, receive a robust jail sentence.

“These criminals are often involved in a range of other offences. When we catch them we seek to bring far more serious charges against them, which reflect the organised nature of their crimes and ensure the sentencing powers available reflect the seriousness of the offending.”

Dangerously ridden moped spotted

Cavell Hutson

Officers from Operation Attrition, which tackled moped-enabled snatch thefts, were supported by a police helicopter and tracked the moped as it was dangerously ridden through the streets.

The vehicle was abandoned in Hackney and the two suspects made off on foot, pursued by officers who arrested Hutson.

He was found in possession of 21 phones.

On September 4 Hutson was charged with one theft and one count of breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order.

Officers also identified the owners of the stolen phones who then provided statements and had their phones returned to them.

CCTV footage was also obtained from the police helicopter.

Three days later Hutson was charged with the remaining 20 thefts as well as dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and driving not in accordance with a licence.

He pleaded guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court on Monday (October 3) where he was sentenced to a total of 3 years and 4 months in prison.

Anyone with information about the accomplice should call police on 101.