A Peterborough man who pretended to be interested in buying cars before stealing them – including one at knife point – has been jailed.

Cambridgeshire Police said that Hamza Ali, 23, was arrested on 19 January, after police were called with reports that he had stolen a car and was sat in the vehicle outside his home in Watergall, Bretton.

Police said Ali had met the victim in Bretton under the pretence that he was interested in buying the Mercedes Coupe and even went as far as to do a test drive with the victim in the passenger seat.

As the victim got out to move back to the driver’s seat, Ali drove off.

Police said it was also found that he had committed a robbery using the same ruse in March 2025.

A spokesperson for the force said Ali had met the victim in Ravensthorpe claiming that he was interested in buying his car. However, when he was inspecting the vehicle, he brandished a knife and pulled the victim out of the car before driving off.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday (30 July), Ali was jailed for 21 months after admitting robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, and driving whilst disqualified.

He was also banned from driving for 27 months and two days.

Detective Constable Pete Wise, who investigated, said: “The fact Ali used the same ploy twice showed his offending was planned, and he knew exactly what he was doing.

“I would like to thank all those involved for reporting these incidents to us and being co-operative throughout the investigation.”