A DEPTFORD man who tried to sell a woman’s stolen laptop back to her for £500 has been handed a suspended sentence.

Joe Amis, of Grove Street, stole a laptop bag from a 30-year-old Underground passenger at Canary Wharf station on June 25 last year.

The bag contained her laptop, passport, credit cards, a digital camera and jewellery as well as £500 cash.

On the same evening, 28-year-old Amis used a fake name to call the woman, claiming he had bought the laptop from another man for £500 that day.

He agreed to return it to her the next day but said he did not want to be £500 out of pocket and asked her to pay him the money.

The victim called the police and plain clothes officers went along with her to meet him at Canada Water tube station.

A second man approached the woman outside the station and said he would take her to the bag.

Officers then stopped him and the man said the bag was with Amis in the car.

The car was then searched and the bag and laptop recovered, although the £500 cash and the jewellery were missing.

Amis pleaded guilty to theft and dishonestly making false representation at Inner London Crown Court last Thursday.

He was sentenced to 10 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, handed a 12 month supervision order and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work.

Amis, who was brought to justice following a British Transport Police investigation, must also pay the victim £600 compensation.

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Andrew Jordan said: “The original theft caused great alarm and upset for the victim.

“Amis’ attempt to sell the laptop back to her was foolish and a brazen attempt to flout the law and take £500 from the woman.

“He posed as a Good Samaritan but was actually doubly devious in his actions.”

DC Jordan added: “We take the theft of passenger property extremely seriously and will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.

“There are lots of things that people can do to make sure they protect themselves from this type of crime.

“Always keep your belongings close by, never leave them unattended and check them regularly whilst on the train and at stations.”