Teddy Kelt, 20, from Bower Close, was hauled before Inner London Crown Court on November 5 for a terrifying rampage across London’s railway network. Over just four days, Kelt threatened and attacked multiple victims at knifepoint, snatching phones, laptops, and other valuables worth nearly £4,000.
Stalking Victims on the Tube
It kicked off on December 4 at Mile End Underground station. Kelt followed a 22-year-old man onto the platform at 9:30pm, grinning as he brandished a knife and warned he’d stab him if he called for help. He demanded the victim’s phone, then patted him down, rifled through his pockets, slapped, and shoved him to the floor before fleeing.
The very next day, Kelt boarded a Jubilee Line train armed with a machete. He targeted a 16-year-old boy, asking about the victim’s phone before threatening to visit his college if he reported the robbery.
More Violent Attacks on Trains
Two days later, Kelt tried to rob three passengers on a Northern line train heading for Totteridge and Whetstone. He harassed a 21-year-old about his watch, menaced a 13-year-old boy, and threatened to stab a 19-year-old unless he handed over his phone. Kelt even dropped his knife on the floor before storming off.
On December 8, at Finchley Central station, Kelt asked to use a man’s phone, then followed him on the train. He showed a knife tucked into his waistband and threatened to kill the victim, forcing him to hand over his phone, laptop, and iPad. The ordeal continued when Kelt forced the man off the train at Tufnell Park and robbed him again at a newsagent, stealing headphones and a rucksack.
Busted and Sentenced
Kelt’s spree wasn’t over. On an Elizabeth Line train, he tried to rob a 17-year-old, again threatening to stab him. When passengers stepped in, Kelt threw a punch. Minutes later, he threatened another man, warning he’d “slash his neck” before walking away.
British Transport Police tracked Kelt down from CCTV after one attack at Gidea Park on December 9. They found him in his garden wearing stolen gear and uncovered several stolen phones at his home.
On September 9, Kelt pleaded guilty to:
- Three counts of robbery
- Three counts of attempted robbery
- Two public order offences
- Two counts of possessing a knife or bladed article in public
- Common assault
He received an 18-month jail term, to run consecutively after a previous three years and eight months for a string of past crimes including robberies, attempted robberies, drug possession, and carrying a corrosive substance.
Long-Lasting Criminal Behaviour Order
Kelt was slapped with a Criminal Behaviour Order lasting until November 2040. It bars him from wearing face coverings on public transport, bans possession of phones not registered in his name, and restricts his ability to travel on railway networks across the country.
Detective Sergeant Steven Ridpath-Mitchell blasted Kelt:
“Kelt is an exceedingly violent and dangerous individual who spent four days mostly targeting teenagers, threatening them at knifepoint or violently assaulting them, for his own benefit.
“I hope that this sentence provides some sense of closure to the victims after he put them through such an awful ordeal.
“He’s shown no remorse, refusing to be interviewed or comment.
“The frequency and violence of his attacks in such a short time is frankly sickening.”
