Bag snatched in town centre (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bag snatched in town centre

Posed by modelsA SECOND man has pleaded guilty to carrying out a bag snatch while riding a bike in the town centre.

Sergio Nobre-Simoes admitted an offence of robbery when he appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court as well as going equipped to steal.

The 38-year-old has also been convicted of two counts of house burglary along with a number of other offences.

His plea comes three weeks after fellow Portuguese Hugo Leal, 26, was jailed for two and a half years after he also admitted robbing women of their handbags while on a bike.

Swindon police launched a high-profile campaign to catch the snatchers which was backed by the Adver. There were 40 incidents reported between May and September.

Nobre-Simoes, of Station Road, has been remanded in custody by a judge at Swindon Crown Court and is due to be sentence on Friday.

He admitted robbing Carole Thompson of her handbag on Tuesday, September 27.

The 49-year-old victim was walking along Canal Walk in the morning when her bag was snatched by a man on a bicycle.

He then pedalled away in the direction of the town centre but a passing 24-year-old cyclist heard the woman's screams and went to her help.

After having the alleged attacker pointed out to him he gave chase, catching and detaining the alleged robber in an alley off Commercial Road.

When he was arrested Nobre-Simoes was found to have a screwdriver and two pairs of pliers, which he would have used to steal a bike had he come across one.

Judge John McNaught was also told that Simoes had been committed to the crown court for two house burglaries.

In one of the two raids, which took place in October, jewellery and electrical equipment worth £9,000 were taken.

The case was adjourned for a week and Nobre-Simoes was remanded in custody.

After the hearing, Det Insp Paul Jennings, of Swindon CID, said street robbery would not be tolerated.

"Victims of street robbery are often some of the most vulnerable members of the public," he said.

"We were pleased as a force to detect this crime and make the arrest.

"We are also pleased that Nobre-Simoes pleaded guilty because it avoids causing unnecessary further trauma to the victim.

"Bag snatching has the potential to cause serious injury if the victim falls over."

Kevin Shoesmith