Jailed Heathrow thief faces his fourth deportation

An illegal immigrant branded a one-man crime wave will be deported for a fourth time after returning to Britain again and assaulting a police officer.

Bag-snatcher Hakim Benmakhlouf, 28, was back in a British jail today after being given a six-month sentence for kicking the PC who tried to arrest him at Heathrow last month.

The Algerian, who has a string of convictions for stealing from tourists at hotels and airports, was first thrown out in 2007 when he was freed early from a three-year sentence, given £3,000 by the Government and put on a plane.

The father-of-two returned to London to continue his crime spree within 24 hours. He was arrested in 2008 and jailed for three more years for theft — but was freed last year and again flown home at taxpayers' expense.

Isleworth Crown Court today heard he was deported from Britain a third time in January but last month was spotted at Heathrow and injured the PC.

The Algerian, called "one of the most skilful" bag-snatchers police have ever seen, admitted assaulting and breaching an Asbo and deportation order.

Judge Andrew McDowall said: "As you shouldn't be in this country it seems there is little purpose in making your sentence particularly lengthy."