Robber Simon Youngsam forced an autistic man to take money from a cashpoint in Erdington, Birmingham

Persistent thief Simon Youngsam has been jailed for over nine years after officers identified him from CCTV footage.

West Midlands Police managed to link the 46 year-old to two robberies and a burglary in Erdington in Birmingham. The robber broke into an address in Wood End Road and took an iPad and mobile phone on 22 January, 2020. A week later he then approached a man who suffers with autism near Reservoir Road.

The vulnerable victim was forcibly taken to a nearby cashpoint where he was made to withdraw cash before Youngsam snatched his headphones and mobile phone, and made off. Officers examined CCTV in the area and identified Youngsam as the prime suspect. He was arrested, charged, and appeared at court soon after.

While on court bail ahead of his court trial he struck again after grabbing a woman’s bag in Slade Road, in October 2021. She feared he had a weapon and Youngsam made off with her belongings. Through enquiries he was identified as the man responsible.

Youngsam, of no fixed address, denied the crimes but was convicted following two separate trials. He was jailed for nine-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (July 26).

‘He has caused untold suffering to his victims’

PC Alan Reeves, from force CID, said: "This is a prolific thief who specifically targeted the vulnerable in our society for his own gain. He has caused untold suffering on his victims, who are still to this day dealing with the consequences of his crimes. He has rightly lost his freedom for a significant period of time.

"We know the impact robbery and burglary has on victims - both emotionally and financially- and we’re determined to identify and convict offenders of such horrible crimes."