Couple jailed after stealing bank cards to fund lavish lifestyle
Ashley Singh, 39 and Sophie Bruyea 20, stole from people's lockers as they exercised at the gym
A couple, have been convicted for an extensive spree of stealing bank and SIM cards from gym lockers, from victims in London, Sussex, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire. The Metropolitan Police's economic crime team say they meticulously investigated Ashley Singh (39) and Sophie Bruyea (20), leading to the couple's arrest at Gatwick Airport on January 27, 2023.
The couple's modus operandi involved Ashley Singh rifling through gym-goers' lockers while they were exercising, subsequently using the stolen bank and SIM cards to make unauthorized purchases. The victims, unbeknownst to them, suffered not only financial loss but also endured stress and inconvenience as their credit cards were maxed out, rendering their phones unusable.
Detective Constable Luis Da Silva, part of the Met’s economic crime team, emphasized the seriousness with which the police approach such cases: "We know Londoners are worried about theft. It’s a horrible crime, and it causes a lot of stress, pain, and financial loss. That’s why we take this crime seriously, and a whole team of us were committed to catching Singh and Bruyea."
The police first became aware of the couple's criminal activities when a local officer noticed a pattern in their thefts and flagged it to detectives specializing in economic crime. A team based in Lewisham meticulously traced the couple's movements through phone records, cars, and CCTV footage, leading to their arrest upon their return from Paris.
A total of 18 victims were targeted during the couple's criminal spree, with the judge describing their actions as a "wicked conspiracy." The impact on the victims varied, from feeling unsafe around strangers to suffering professional setbacks due to the stress caused by the thefts.
The sentencing took place at Croydon Crown Court on January 10, 2024. Ashley Singh was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, while Sophie Bruyea received a 20-month sentence at a young offenders' institute, suspended for two years. Additionally, Bruyea was mandated to undergo a rehabilitation program and complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Constable Da Silva concluded, "We will now look to forfeit the proceeds of their crimes to try and help compensate those who went through this." The conviction stands as a testament to the diligence of the Metropolitan Police in addressing and apprehending individuals involved in economic crimes that impact the public.