Thief behind bars for seven years following autumn crime spree in East Surrey

A man has been jailed for seven and a half years for theft, fraud, and robbery offences following a crime spree in East Surrey during September and October last year.

Over the course of a month, Kieran Telfer, 28, committed a series of offences in Horley, Redhill, and Leatherhead.

On 20 September, Telfer attended the job centre in Redhill and brazenly stole a purse belonging to a member of staff from a handbag under her desk.  Afterwards he went to various convenience stores on Horley Road in Redhill and Victoria Road in Horley, where he made over £300 worth of fraudulent transactions before the card was cancelled.

Just over a month later, he carried out two robberies in Leatherhead.

On Monday 23 October, Telfer was getting out of a taxi in Leatherhead when he asked the driver if he could change a £50. As the driver rolled down the window to give change, Telfer hit the driver and stole his wallet and keys. The taxi driver gave chase, recovering his items when Telfer discarded them, but found £600 cash was gone. He continued the chase and caught up to Telfer outside a block of flats where Telfer threatened to stab him before making off on foot again.

On Saturday, 28 October, Telfer booked another taxi, this time under the name of Aaron. Having initially asked to be taken to Tesco and wait while he shopped, Telfer then directed the driver back to the same area of Leatherhead as the first offence.

On arrival, Telfer once again asked the driver if he had change for a £50 note. The taxi driver said he did, but Telfer then claimed to have change indoors, and went into an address under the pretence of getting change. On his return, Telfer produced a knife and put it to the taxi driver’s abdomen. He demanded money, taking just over £500 in cash.

Telfer was identified by a local officer and arrested on Wednesday, 1 November for robbery, theft, and fraud. While in police custody, Telfer refused to come out of his cell and be interviewed. He was charged on Thursday, 2 November with two counts of robbery, one count of fraud by false representation, and one count of theft.

Telfer, (DOB 16/07/1995) of no fixed abode, was convicted of theft, fraud, and robbery at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday, 15 May. He was sentenced to seven and a half years’ imprisonment (90 months) and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Investigating officer DC Hannah Simmonds said: “Last autumn Telfer wreaked havoc across East Surrey, stealing from innocent, law-abiding people and putting several in fear of serious injury.

“Although we are lucky enough not to have a significant problem with knife crime, we appreciate just how terrifying offences like these are for those affected and will deal robustly with offenders.

“I know how much these events would have concerned residents at the time, and I hope that the sentence handed down by the court will reassure them that this dangerous individual is now behind bars.”