Thief targeted gym users' lockers
He targeted gym users by breaking into their lockers and stealing their possessions – including two cars after swiping the keys. But Taimoor Ali has avoided jail after his cases were dealt with separately by magistrates.
The 21-year-old targeted Pure Gym in Walsall and West Bromwich.
In one ruse, he chose his victim by hanging around outside and engaging him in conversation to work out which was his car – before stealing the keys to a Seat Ibiza parked in Astle Outlet Park in West Bromwich in February last year.
Mr Edward Soulsby told Wolverhampton magistrates: "The defendant struck up a conversation and the victim locked his locker with a padlock, he had brought to the gym with him, and then went to use the gym facilities.
"He returned and opened his locker and discovered that his car keys had been taken.
"It appears the defendant knew the combination or had a master code for the lock."
In another theft, he broke into a locker at the gym in Bridge Street, Walsall, getting away with a wallet containing a driver's licence and an iPhone the same month.
And he struck again on March 1, stealing keys to a BMW 3 series from a man's locker before finding the car parked at a nearby Tesco.
CCTV was reviewed by police and it was discovered Ali had used a pin code obtained from a legitimate member of the gym to get into the lockers.
But when questioned by police Ali claimed it was a case of mistaken identity. He was later positively identified by one of his victims.
Mr Malcolm Fowler, defending, said: "He still lives with his parents and there was much disturbing material in his pre-sentence report. His money issues seem to have been addressed now he has sorted out his benefits which he receives £106." Ali, of St Paul's Road, Smethwick, had previously been given a 12-month community order for the Walsall crimes – and was only being sentenced for the West Bromwich theft this week after admitting to theft. Recorder Miss Abigail Nixon said had all of his attacks been before her in yesterday's hearing she wouldn't have hesitated in sending him to jail.
She said: "You told the probation that you are always on the lookout to make money and I can assure and it seems you didn't have a care for your victims. You have brought shame on your family and, like your victims, you didn't have much thought for them too." He was given an additional 12 month community order and told he must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work over a year.
