Thief preyed on elderly tourists

An alleged professional pickpocket and bag thief accused of targeting elderly tourists at top London hotels has been committed for trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Kenneth Roy Brown, 40, of Plummer Road, Clapham, is charged with stealing a wallet and contents of £80 from Teunis Van Wijnen at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, on 21 May, and a briefcase and contents worth £190 from Bernadine Maurizio at the Rubens Hotel, Buckingham Palace Road. He is also charged with stealing a bag and contents worth £800 belonging to Pamela Gregory at the Swallow International Hotel, Cromwell Road, on 18 June; a wallet from Toby Powell at the Inter-Continental on Park Lane, also on 18 June; a bag and contents worth £350 from Eleanor Doph,and a handbag and contents worth £650 from Diane Doph, both at the Gloucester Hotel in Harrington Gardens, on13 March.