A CRIMINAL who attacked lone women for their jewellery in Hayes and Southall was jailed for six years at Isleworth Crown Court.

Ralf Dautzenberg, 22, of Canning Town, previously pleaded guilty to 11 counts of robbery and one of theft between January and June.

Dautzenberg targeted Asian women for their gold necklaces, believed to be worth an estimated £20,000.

He was arrested in Hayes in June after a quick-thinking police officer on vehicle patrol identified him as a wanted offender, whose image had been circulated.

The arrest followed a detailed investigation once it became apparent a number of linked 'snatch' robberies were being committed by a man of the same description.

On all occasions, he concealed his face using a scarf and a hooded top.

Victims were approached from behind, their necks grabbed and their jewellery ripped from them.

Dautzenberg resorted to violence on several occasions, punching his victims on the head and knocking them to the pavement.

Despite a thorough search of his home, only one necklace was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.

He claimed he had sold every other piece of jewellery within hours to cash buyers.

Det Chief Insp Richard Turner, said: "Combating Asian gold theft remains a high priority for our policing team.”

One victim, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I wake at night having nightmares and images with flashbacks of what he did.

"My necklace was given to me by my grandmother to bring me luck. She lives in India and I may not see her again.”

Offences took place in St Anselm’s Road, Golden Crescent, Eastholme, Nestles Avenue, Church Road, Park Road, Granville Road, Dallas Terrace, Crowland Avenue and North Hyde Road, Hayes, as well as Hayes End Recreation Ground, and Scotts Avenue, Southall.