A man has been convicted after pleading guilty to thefts, fraud and driving offences in St Albans and London Colney.

Michael McCann, 32, of no fixed address, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, April 12.

He admitted to 36 separate crimes committed between June and December 2018, including 14 offences of handbag-snatching mainly from elderly and vulnerable women.

McCann drove around in stolen cars searching for victims who were parking. He would then open the passenger door and grab their handbag before running off.

The other 22 charges were fraudulent use of victim’s bank cards and various driving offences.

The offences also took place in Abbots Langley, Bricket Wood, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley, and Watford.

McCann was arrested on December 28, 2018 following a police pursuit in Hemel Hempstead after the blue Ford Transit van he was driving, which he stole from Barnet, was activated on an automatic number plate recognition camera.

McCann was sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison.

Det Sgt Caeva Taylor of Herts Police said: “This has been a very protracted and complex investigation involving multiple different policing units and forensic experts. McCann’s offending has had a profound impact on many of his vulnerable victims and I would like to thank those who came forward for their bravery.”

“I want this to serve as a warning to those people who choose to commit theft offences in Hertfordshire, that we will relentlessly investigate these crimes and pursue the suspects until justice has been served.”