A Finsbury Park man who boarded a Scotland- bound night sleeper train at Euston and stole a passenger’s rucksack before alighting and fleeing the station has been jailed.

Slimane Kernouf of Gloucester Drive, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to a theft charge at Westminster Magistrates’ Courton Monday.

The 30-year-old boarded the 23:50 Caledonian Sleeper service which was stationary at the platform waiting for passengers on April 21 last year.

He approached one of the cabins and stole a rucksack which had been left by its owner, along with her jacket, on her bed while she visited another carriage.

The rucksack contained just �40 worth of belongings.

CCTV captured Kernouf entering the train empty-handed and exiting the station a short time later carrying a rucksack.

CCTV was circulated to local police forces and Neighbourhood Police Teams and an appeal made in the local media, however Kernouf’s identity remained anonymous until February this year when an officer from Britsih Transport Police recognised him.

Kernouf was arrested at his home that afternoon. Clothes identical to the ones he had been wearing on the day of the theft were seized as evidence.

Det Cons Dave Graney from Britsh Transport police said: “The sentence handed down to Kernouf sends a clear message that BTP, along with the courts, take a dim view on those who believe it is acceptable to steal property that doesn’t belong to them for their personal, financial gain.”