A man who stole jewellery worth thousands of pounds from a hotel room has been spared a prison sentence.
Sussex Police said today (Friday 6 March): “A man has been given a suspended sentence order after thousands of pounds worth of jewellery were stolen from a hotel room.
“On Saturday 17 August 2024, a family reported the theft of jewellery and other valuable items from their room at the Hilton Hotel, Eastway, South Terminal, Gatwick Airport.
“The family were staying at the hotel in two adjoining rooms but had left one of the doors on the latch while their luggage was being brought into the room.
“Within a 10-minute period from 9.35pm and 9.45pm, a bag containing thousands of pounds of jewellery and other items with a value of £8,000 was taken.
“Officers worked with the Metropolitan Police to successfully locate Mohammed Uddin at an address in London.
“He was wearing a number of the stolen pieces of jewellery and a bank card belonging to another victim was seized.
“Inquiries found Uddin had been staying in the same hotel as the victims on the evening of the theft.
“Uddin, 39, of Old Montague Street, Whitechapel, London, was subsequently charged with burglary and receiving stolen goods.”
He indicated a guilty plea to both charges when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court.
And on Thursday 5 March 2026, at Hove Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Gold sentenced Uddin to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to comply with an electronically monitored curfew for six months and to pay £300 compensation.
Police Sergeant Lenal Patel said: “We understand the impact of burglary, both financially and the emotional distress it causes victims.
“The crime was opportunistic, but the victim impact will likely be long-lasting.
“I’m pleased that a number of the stolen items were recovered and returned to their rightful owners and I’d also like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their partnership on this case.
“Their collaboration ensured the perpetrator was brought to justice.”
