A THIEF who stole bicycles from railway stations, including Huntingdon and St Neots, has been given a suspended jail sentence.

A THIEF who stole bicycles from railway stations, including Huntingdon and St Neots, has been given a suspended jail sentence.

from Bedfordshire who stole bikes from railway stations has been sentenced after an investigation by.

Steven Walters, of St Neots Road, Sandy, stole nine bicycles between March and July of this year at various stations in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Walters, who pleaded guilty to the offences, was sentenced to a four month jail term, suspended for 12 months, plus a 12 month referral order.

The 39-year-old was pictured on CCTV during many of the thefts – a fact that proved vital in identifying him and bringing him to justice.

The Hunts Post responded to a press appeal from British Transport Police officers, which led to valuable information about the identity of the thief, they said this week.

PC Robbie Singh, the investigating officer, said Walters targeted high-quality bikes, some of which cost several hundred pounds.

“Walters was in search of quality items, and most of the bikes he took were high-spec models, often those with suspension systems or front disc brakes,” said PC Singh.

“Unfortunately for him, he was pictured on CCTV on several occasions and he was later identified as being the culprit responsible for all of the offences.”

After receiving information following the press appeal, officers arrested him after they attended his address and found clothing that was worn on the days the offences were committed.

“People who repeatedly steal bikes in this way are increasingly being caught out by the ever-expanding network of CCTV cameras on the railway,” said PC Singh.

“I would also like to thank all of the local newspapers that ran the initial appeal for information and the CCTV pictures. The feedback we received from this was vital in identifying a prolific thief and bringing him before the courts.”

Walters, who gave a no comment interview to police, appeared at Bedford Magistrates’ Court on Friday (October 1). In addition to the suspended jail term he was also ordered to pay �50 in compensation to each victim.

Offences were recorded at Sandy (three offences), Huntingdon (two offences), St Neots, Hitchin, Biggleswade and Bedford.

Walters was captured on this CCTV picture, taken at Huntingdon station on the day of one of the offences.