A “devious” thief who stole a woman’s laptop before trying to sell it back to her the next day has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Joe Amis, 28, snatched the woman’s bag at Canary Wharf underground station, making off with her computer, £500 cash, credit cards, jewellery and a digital camera.

On the same evening of June 25, 2012, Amis called her back using a different name, claiming he had bought the laptop from somebody else for £500 but had later found her documents inside the bag.

Deptford resident Amis said he would return the laptop to her, but asked for her to pay him £500 so he was not left out of pocket.

The victim met him outside Canada Water station the following day - but she had grown suspicious and contacted police.

She was accompanied by plain clothes officers, who recovered the bag – but the cash and jewellery were missing.

Speaking after the sentencing at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, Det Con Andrew Jordan said: “Amis’ attempt to sell the laptop back to her was foolish and a brazen attempt to flout the law and take £500 from the woman.

“He posed as a Good Samaritan but was actually doubly devious in his actions.”

Amis, who had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, was given a 10 week prison sentence, suspended for a year. He also faces a 12 month supervision order, 100 hours unpaid work and will pay £600 compensation.