Two men who prayed on unsuspecting members of the public have pleaded guilty after they were found targeting individuals at cash points.

On Wednesday, July 12, Omar Naeem, aged 39, of Whitwell Road, London and Mher Rauf, aged 43, of Bradymead, London stood trial after they were arrested for a series of thefts.

Days before on Monday, July 10, at around midday, Naeem and Rauf were in the Buckingham Avenue area of Slough near to Lloyds TSB and Natwest.

Naeem approached a woman at a cashpoint and attempted to distract her with a leaflet, pressed the £500 button on the cash point and then tried to take the money.

The woman realised what was happening and stopped him. Naeem dropped the leaflet, which Rauf then went to retrieve before they both left in a car.

Around twenty minutes later, Naeem approached a man in Langley car park and offered help to the man to pay for his parking.

Naeem escorted the man to the machine, but instead of helping him he used it as an opportunity to learn the man’s pin number and steal his card.

Naeem then went to two cash points, withdrawing over £500.

The incidents were reported and officers traced the vehicle the two men were travelling in.

They were both arrested and taken to Maidenhead Police Station where Naeem became aggressive and kicked an officer. No injury was caused.

The men were charged on Tuesday, July 11 and appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 12.

Naeem pleaded guilty to one count of attempted theft, two counts of theft, two counts of fraud by false representation and one count of assault of an emergency worker.

Rauf pleaded guilty to one count of attempted theft.

They will be sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on a date to be confirmed.

Detective Sergeant Lucy Broderick of Slough Priority Crime Team, said: “I am satisfied that these men have pleaded guilty to their offences.

“Targeting unsuspecting members of the public in order to steal their money for their own profit is completely unacceptable and cowardly.

“We will not tolerate criminals who seek to carry out such criminal activity, and I hope this conviction sends a message that we will trace you and bring you before the courts to face justice.”