A prolific illegal immigrant thief who stole a suitcase containing £250,000 worth of luxury jewellery and designer bags from Formula One driver Jenson Button’s wife has been jailed for nearly three years – and faces deportation.
Mourad Aid, 41, was sentenced to two years and four months at Inner London Crown Court today after admitting the brazen Valentine’s Day theft outside London’s St Pancras International Station.
The court heard Aid received three years imprisonment for theft and four months for handling stolen goods after he snatched Brittny Button’s pink Goyard carry-on case in broad daylight on February 13 as the couple returned from a romantic Paris getaway.
The shameless criminal – described as being of Greatorex Street in Tower Hamlets – struck as former F1 world champion Button, 45, briefly turned his back while helping their chauffeur load luggage into a car on Pancras Road.
‘I FEEL PHYSICALLY SICK’
In devastating emotional testimony, American former Playboy model Brittny, 34, revealed the theft left her feeling “heartbroken” and vowing never to return to Britain.
“I was kind of shocked. How like unsecure everything felt [in London] just so many people, [and] so chaotic,” she told MailOnline after the attack.
The mother-of-two broke down in tears as she described losing irreplaceable family heirlooms including sentimental jewellery from her wedding and daughter’s birth.
“I don’t really have many things from my parents, I don’t really have many family heirlooms and I wish I did. So it’s really heartbreaking,” she said.
CAUGHT ON CCTV
CCTV footage captured the moment Aid walked into the station with the victim’s case at around 12.35pm before walking back out via the Midland Road exit.
Neither Button nor his wife saw the theft happen – only realising the suitcase was gone when they turned to load it into their car.
The stolen case contained:
- Two Hermès Kelly bags worth approximately £70,000
- Antique and sentimental jewellery
- Wedding rings and bracelets
- Items connected to their daughter’s birth
- Multiple designer bags
SWIFT JUSTICE
British Transport Police detectives quickly identified Aid from CCTV images circulated among local teams, with one officer recognising him immediately.
Plain clothes officers arrested him in London’s Hatton Garden jewellery district just four days later on February 17.
Aid pleaded guilty to theft at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 19 – just five days after the incident – and has been remanded in custody since.
Detective Sergeant Marc Farmer noted how the thief “was able to quickly swipe the suitcase without them even noticing,” highlighting “just how sneaky these sorts of criminals really are”.
‘DROPPED THE BALL’
Brittny admitted her husband had “dropped the ball” by being “a little bit not super careful, too trusting and a little too relaxed” during the incident.
I’m normally pretty cautious when I’m out in public and travelling, but I just didn’t think that there were gangs literally just waiting for people and watching,” she said.
The interior designer revealed that while she typically travels with less luxurious items, she and her stylist had packed more expensive pieces for their romantic Valentine’s Day getaway.
SERIAL OFFENDER
The court heard Aid was a prolific offender with a history of theft-related crimes targeting vulnerable victims.
By the time police caught up with him, many of the stolen items had already been listed for sale online.
“A lot of people assume, ‘Your husband bought you those’ but actually I bought about half of them and I worked really hard and to have someone come up to me and take them from me – it’s just frustrating,” Brittny said.
DEPORTATION LOOMS
As an illegal immigrant with serious criminal convictions, Aid now faces deportation proceedings following his sentence.
Under current immigration enforcement priorities, criminals convicted of theft offenses – particularly those involving substantial amounts – are subject to removal from the UK.
The case comes as authorities crack down on foreign criminals operating in Britain, with theft convictions making immigrants eligible for deportation even if they have served their prison sentence.
NEVER COMING BACK
The traumatic experience has left such a mark on Button’s wife that she has vowed never to return to Britain.
“I have no interest in ever returning to the UK because of how unsafe it is,” she declared.
This isn’t the first time the Button family has been targeted by criminals – ten years ago thieves broke into Jenson’s home and stole more than £230,000 worth of jewellery from his then-wife Jessica Michibata.
DS Farmer emphasised the importance of “keeping one eye on your belongings at all times” when travelling, warning that criminals often target transport hubs.
The British Transport Police reminded the public that anyone who witnesses or falls victim to theft on the railway network can text them for free on 61016.
