He was sentenced to five years in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court

A Nigerian man has been jailed for an "out-of-control" crime spree in the heart of London that left commuters terrified.

Wasiu Smith, 26, mugged four men, stealing phones, a laptop, and an heirloom ring worth £600.

The incidents took place outside Farringdon tube station in November last year, with Smith claiming he travelled from Canary Wharf to see the Christmas lights.

However, the court heard the festive displays were not turned on at the time of the attacks.

He was sentenced to five years in prison for three counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, one count of common assault and one count of possessing a Class A drug at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

After moving to Britain in 2019, Smith had resided in Shropshire before moving to Walsall.

One victim, Alex Belsham-Harris, head of Energy Consumer Markets at the charity Citizens Advice, was attacked after leaving the gym, prosecutor Adrian Yallan told the court.

He was hit several times on the head and had his bag, which contained a work laptop inside, stolen.

A second man, Bonny Wambulu, was confronted by Smith, who "ran towards him at speed" and appeared to conceal a weapon in his pocket.

Another victim, Alexander Burgess, was forced to hand over an opal ring after Smith threatened to punch him while again acting like he was concealing a weapon.

A fourth man, Michael Evesque, a managing director of lighting company Bert Frank, was also involved in a confrontation with the Nigerian national.

Smith was later caught on a bus by police with the stolen items and a wrap of crack cocaine.

He claimed the valuables were his and the drugs were planted.

Police were also told that he had been attacked by unknown individuals.

The judge said: "You were completely out of control and inflicted pain and suffering on members of the public.

"I have no doubt that you were intimating that you had a knife, though I accept you did not in fact have a knife."

He added: "I am also satisfied you were attempting to conceal your identity.

"The most serious offence was the final one as you used violence against Mr Belsham-Harris.

"I have no doubt he released his bag because he was terrified after the assault."