An Algerian migrant stole £20,000 worth of laptops, phones and rucksacks from City bars in a four-month crime spree, a court heard.
Munir Ghilas, 28, allegedly targeted drinkers between July 24 and October 23 this year.
Ghilas grabbed a laptop worth £2,700 from Matthew Bourn in All Bar One, on Byward Street in the City on July 24, it is claimed.
On August 5, he allegedly returned to the same pub to snatch a laptop and other items worth £3,450 from Matthew Bayman and Jacob Wyatt’s Apple MacBook.
The next day, Ghilas is said to have stolen a £3,500 Apple MacBook from Daniel Lloyd in The Aldgate Tap.
Wearing a grey prison tracksuit, Ghilas appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video-link, assisted by an Algerian interpreter.
The court heard further details of his alleged offending over the summer, which prosecutors said demonstrated a ‘degree of planning’.
The Banker on Cousin Lane in the City was one of the pubs allegedly targeted by Munir Ghilas
Ghilas is said to have grabbed four laptops worth £3,750 belonging to Aris Loupas, Jithamithra Burri, Edward Jackson and Michael Miesiarzyzk in The Banker on Cousin Lane in the City on August 15.
On September 24, he allegedly stole five laptops worth £7,280 from Nicholas Fletcher, Andrew Bell and Stefan-Howard Rigby at the Lord Raglan in Holborn.
The next day, he took a further five laptops in The Oyster Shed on Angel Lane and a computer from Christopher Hall in The Banker, prosecutors claim.
Ghilas is also accused of assaulting a police woman on September 25 and handling stolen goods.
Prosecutor Ioan Davies said: ‘There is extensive offending largely of the same type.
‘The defendant moves between different bars, pubs and restaurants and takes predominately laptops, which the value ranges between £750 to £3,000.
‘There is clearly some degree of planning involved. This is because of the nature of the offending.
‘The defendant has planned a course of conduct which has been repeated again and again over the course of several months.’
Ghilas denies 16 counts of theft and one of assaulting a constable in the execution of her duty.
District Judge Louisa Ciecióra remanded Ghilas in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on November 24.
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Algerian migrant stole £20,000 of phones and laptops as their owners drank in City bars in crime spree, court told