Five men have been jailed for robbing a man in a first class train carriage after surrounding him and pinching his wallet.

The victim was on his way to Brighton when the men, aged between 19 and 23, boarded the train at Clapham Junction and noisily strolled down the carriage in a manner threatening to other passengers, police said.

Arriving in the first class section, they surrounded the man.

One sat next to him and another, seated opposite, stared at him in an intimidating way before reaching across and stroking his face.

Another man asked if his watch was gold. Meanwhile, all the other first class passengers left the carriage.

A few minutes later the men moved on. It was only after the victim arrived in Brighton that he realised his wallet was missing.

It had contained $102 Singapore dollars and a number of cards.

The crime took place on the Victoria to Eastbourne service on April 18 last year.

The Croydon robbers were Sayed Shah, 23, of Fir Tree Gardens, Marcus Skillern, 19, of Panton Close, Davenand Jaipaul, 21, of Tankerton Terrace, Mitcham Road and Adbinsair Abdullahi, 20, of Derby Road.

They were all found guilty alongside Abdul Messai, 21, of Kingston Road in Raynes Park at Blackfriars Crown Court on Friday, July 17 after a nine-day trial.

They each received sentences of between two and three years.

Detective Constable Ostin Elkins said: "The sentencing shows that we will not tolerate any type of crime or threatening behaviour on the rail network.

"These men actively sought out their victim on board the train and took the opportunity to intimidate and prey upon a man who was simply on his way home after a night out.

"Passengers are entitled to travel on the railway without fear. I am pleased to see that they all received sentences that will give them time to reflect on their actions."