Professional Bike Thief Busted: Francis Graham Caught and Jailed
Francis Graham, 26, from Hunter Street, WC1, has been locked up for a string of bike thefts and commercial burglaries across London. On 24 September, he faced five counts of cycle theft, five of commercial burglary, plus one theft from a motor vehicle.
Tenacious Crime Spree Unraveled
Graham was snapped up by police and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the same day. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced on 16 November at Inner London Crown Court to two years behind bars.
The offences span a year of cheeky cycle snatches and break-ins, including:
- Theft from a motor vehicle, Baches Street, Hackney (29 Oct 2019)
- Commercial burglary, Queenshurst Square, Kingston (29 Nov 2019)
- Two pedal cycle thefts, Richmond Road, Kingston and Broom Road, Richmond (6 Dec 2019)
- Commercial burglary, Shepherds Bush Road, W6 (13 Dec 2019)
- Commercial burglary, Kensal Road, W10 (17 Dec 2019)
- Commercial burglary, Church Road, Teddington (30 Jan 2020)
- Theft of pedal cycle, St Bartholomew’s Hospital (10 July 2020)
- Commercial burglary, Woods Road, SE15 (10 July 2020)
- Theft of pedal cycle, Heygate Street, SE17 (4 Aug 2020)
- Theft of pedal cycle, Cheapside, EC2 (23 Sept 2020)
Hefty Sentences and Tough Order
Graham got 12 months for each burglary (served concurrently), and eight months each for four thefts plus the vehicle theft, served consecutively. He also received a four-month sentence for breaching a suspended sentence, running consecutively. A five-year Criminal Behaviour Order was slapped on him.
He’s due back in court on 20 November for sentencing over the Cheapside theft.
Judge Slams ‘One-Man Crime Wave’
“You were a one-man crime wave stealing in a sophisticated way. You tailgated residents into restricted areas, removed decent locks, and nicked bicycles. What happened to the bikes afterwards remains a mystery — how much you got for them and who benefits is unknown. It causes real upset and stress to lose a bicycle, which are expensive and used for commuting. One was stolen from a hospital worker at a secure compound. These offences, aggravated by your many previous convictions for bike theft, show you are a professional bike thief. Only a custodial sentence is justified.” — HHJ Davies
Police Praise Joint Effort for Catching Graham
Met and City of London police worked together to identify and nab Graham. CCTV images linked him to multiple incidents, and DNA evidence sealed the case after he initially denied involvement.
“Cycling is lifeline transport for many Londoners. The upset Graham caused to so many victims can’t be measured. I’m pleased our partnership with City of London Police has stopped his crime spree. Theft victims often suffer long after items are replaced. Graham will have plenty of time to reflect while serving his sentence.” — PC Aleksander Hancock, Met South West Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team
“Our force takes bike theft seriously and won’t tolerate it in the City. With more people cycling due to coronavirus, theft risks rise. We worked with the Met to spot and stop criminals like Graham and get bikes back to owners. Thanks to sharp officers, he’s been brought to justice.” — Chief Superintendent Steve Heatley, City of London Police
