Woman jailed for pickpocketing phones on university campus
She was caught at the University of Birmingham
A woman who was stealing mobile phones from students on campus at the University of Birmingham has been jailed for a year.
Michaela Ghita, aged 35, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to a charge of theft and four attempted thefts between October 18 and 20 this year.
Ghita was targeting students on campus over a two day period earlier this month. She stole a mobile phone after she picked the pocket of one student and attempted to steal mobile phones from other students.
Officers were contacted by staff at the university after Ghita was caught red handed carrying out the thefts on CCTV.
Inspector Gemma Marston, CID Investigation Manager at Stechford, said: “We have a dedicated city centre team under Op Willowvale which raises awareness of pickpockets and will robustly investigate to stop these kind of crimes from happening in the city.
“Our officers reacted quickly to apprehend Ghita and she was arrested, charged and brought before the courts very quickly. We are pleased she has been jailed and taken off the streets.”