A Polish thief who carried a knife on buses in West Bromwich, slashing handbags to steal purses from the elderly, was today starting a jail term of three years and four months

Adam Gawron targeted elderly and vulnerable people who relied most on public transport during his five month “campaign of theft”, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Nearly all of his victims were pensioners. Many were in their 70s or 80s, while one was aged 98. They were left shaken and angered by the thefts, the court heard.

Gawron preyed on bus passengers, covering his hands with his coat while he slashed women’s bags with a knife to steal their purses.

On three occasions, the 35-year-old then used their bank cards to withdraw sums of money ranging from £30 to £800.

Yesterday Gawron, of Hilton Street, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud, one of attempted theft and five of theft. He also asked Judge Martin Walsh to take 10 other similar thefts into consideration.

The thefts all took place between February and June this year.

In a statement to the court a 72-year-old woman victim of Gawron said: “This left me feeling sick. It’s despicable.”