A 28-year-old Algerian migrant stands accused of orchestrating a sophisticated theft operation targeting laptop users in City of London bars, making off with electronic devices worth approximately £20,000 during a four-month crime spree, Westminster Magistrates' Court has heard.
The Alleged Crime Wave
Munir Ghilas allegedly targeted unsuspecting drinkers between July 24 and October 23 this year, moving systematically between popular City establishments. The court was told his alleged offending demonstrated a clear degree of planning as he repeatedly executed similar thefts over several months.
Prosecutor Ioan Davies outlined the pattern: '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.'
Detailed Timeline of Alleged Offences
The theft spree allegedly began on July 24 when Ghilas supposedly stole a laptop worth £2,700 from Matthew Bourn at All Bar One on Byward Street. He reportedly returned to the same venue on August 5, snatching laptops and other items valued at £3,450 from Matthew Bayman and Jacob Wyatt.
The following day saw another alleged theft at The Aldgate Tap, where a £3,500 Apple MacBook was taken from Daniel Lloyd. On August 15, prosecutors claim Ghilas targeted The Banker on Cousin Lane, making off with four laptops worth £3,750 belonging to Aris Loupas, Jithamithra Burri, Edward Jackson and Michael Miesiarzyzk.
The scale of alleged offending escalated in September, with five laptops valued at £7,280 reportedly stolen from Nicholas Fletcher, Andrew Bell and Stefan-Howard Rigby at the Lord Raglan in Holborn on September 24. The next day brought further claims of five laptops taken from The Oyster Shed on Angel Lane and another computer from Christopher Hall in The Banker.
Court Proceedings and Additional Charges
Ghilas appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video-link wearing a grey prison tracksuit, assisted by an Algerian interpreter. Beyond the 16 theft charges, he also faces accusations of assaulting a police officer on September 25 and handling stolen goods.
Prosecutors emphasised the repetitive nature of the alleged crimes, describing 'extensive offending largely of the same type' and noting the defendant had 'planned a course of conduct which has been repeated again and again over the course of several months.'
Ghilas has denied all charges against him. District Judge Louisa Ciecióra has remanded him in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for November 24 at Southwark Crown Court.
