A 28-year-old Algerian migrant has denied stealing £20,000 worth of laptops and other tech from pub-goers in a series of thefts across five London bars. Munir Ghilas appeared via video-link at Westminster Magistrates' Court, assisted by an interpreter, and pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of theft and one count of assaulting a police officer.
The alleged spree took place between July 24 and October 23 this year, targeting bars in the City of London frequented by high-earning drinkers. On July 24, Ghilas is accused of stealing a laptop worth £2,700 from Matthew Bourn at All Bar One on Byward Street. He allegedly returned to the same pub on August 5 to take a laptop and other items worth £3,450 from Matthew Bayman and Jacob Wyatt's Apple MacBook.
The following day, Ghilas is said to have stolen a £3,500 Apple MacBook from Daniel Lloyd at The Aldgate Tap Public House. On August 15, he allegedly grabbed four laptops worth £3,750 from Aris Loupas, Jithamithra Burri, Edward Jackson, and Michael Miesiarzyzk at The Banker Public House on Cousin Lane. Further thefts occurred on September 24 at the Lord Raglan pub in Holborn, where five laptops worth £7,280 were taken from Nicholas Fletcher, Andrew Bell, and Stefan-Howard Rigby.
The next day, Ghilas allegedly stole five laptops from The Oyster Shed Public House on Angel Lane, and later that same day, a computer from Christopher Hall at The Banker Public House. He also faces a charge of assaulting a policewoman on September 25 and handling stolen goods. Prosecutor Ioan Davies noted the offending involved planning, as Ghilas repeatedly targeted bars and restaurants, taking laptops valued between £750 and £3,000.
District Judge Louisa Ciecióra remanded Ghilas in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on November 24.
