'Violent thief' admits robberies on trains

Across four days Kelt robbed three people of items worth nearly £4k

A "prolific and violent" thief has pleaded guilty to a number of offences after robbing people and stealing thousands of pounds worth of goods on trains across London.

Inner London Crown Court heard how Teddy Kelt, 20 and from Romford, threatened to stab fellow passengers with a knife or machete if they did not hand over valuables.

During a four-day period in December 2024, he stole items worth nearly £4,000.

British Transport Police said Kelt "showed no remorse for his actions".

Violent robberies

The court heard how, during one of the robberies, Kelt followed a 22-year-old man onto the platform of Mile End Underground station and threatened to stab him if he did not hand over his mobile phone.

After the victim handed it over, Kelt went through his pockets, then hit him in the face and pushed him to the floor.

Two days later, Kelt attempted to rob three people on a Northern Line train, including a 13-year-old boy.

Another victim at Finchley Central Underground station handed over his phone, laptop, iPad and rucksack when Kelt threatened to kill him.

In court, he pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery and two public order offences.

He also admitted two public order offences, two counts of possessing a knife or bladed article in public, and common assault.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 16 October.

Kelt is already serving a three-year and nine-month prison sentence for three more robberies of items worth about £2,000, two more attempted robberies, two counts of possessing Class C drugs, and possessing a corrosive substance in a public place.

Det Sgt Steven Ridpath-Mitchell said: "The threats that he made against innocent commuters and the violence he used to rob them of their belongings is frankly sickening.

"There is absolutely no tolerance for robbery on the railway network."