An illegal immigrant described as a one-man crime wave is facing a fourth deportation after returning to the UK and assaulting a police officer. Hakim Benmakhlouf, 28, was jailed for six months at Isleworth Crown Court for kicking a police constable who attempted to arrest him at Heathrow Airport last month.
The Algerian national has a long history of stealing from tourists at hotels and airports. He was first deported in 2007 after being released early from a three-year sentence, given £3,000 by the government, and put on a plane. However, he returned to London within 24 hours to continue his crime spree.
In 2008, he was arrested again and jailed for three more years for theft. He was freed last year and deported for a second time at taxpayers' expense. He was deported for a third time in January but was spotted at Heathrow last month, where he assaulted the police officer.
Benmakhlouf, who has been called 'one of the most skilful' bag-snatchers police have ever seen, admitted assault and breaching an Asbo and deportation order. Judge Andrew McDowall said: 'As you shouldn't be in this country it seems there is little purpose in making your sentence particularly lengthy.'
