Three organised criminals who stole more than 20 mobile phones from fans at a Libertines concert and used a special bodysuit to hide the items have been told by a judge: ‘Go back to Romania – and don’t return.’
The trio targeted the gig at Nottingham’s Rock City venue in December, leaving music lovers stunned by the sight of discarded phone cases and SIM cards scattered across the floor as the house lights came up.
They fled in a car – but were stopped by police on their way back to Birmingham, where the thieves were staying at the time.
When he was arrested, one of the men, 27-year-old Gheorghe Valceanu, was found to have several phones hidden inside a blue Slazenger ‘cycling-style’ bodysuit he was wearing underneath his clothing.
The trio targeted the gig in Nottingham in December, leaving music lovers stunned by the sight of discarded phone cases and SIM cards scattered across the floor as the house lights came up
Another, Eduard Cirlea, 41, had nine handsets inside the pockets of his jacket. Driver Daniel Ratusanu, 41, was also arrested after more phones were found inside the car.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the men had specifically targeted the concert, and taken phones from gig-goers who stored them in their front trouser pockets.
They were caught after West Midlands Police received details of a car and its occupants believed to have been involved in a series of thefts.
The hearing was told the men had come to the UK to find work as their wives and children were struggling financially in Romania, and felt ‘ashamed and embarrassed’ of their behaviour.
When he was arrested, one of the men, Gheorghe Valceanu, was found to have several phones hidden inside a blue Slazenger ‘cycling-style’ bodysuit he was wearing underneath his clothing
Ben Robinson, defending Cirlea, said: ‘This was pickpockets having a road trip.’
But in jailing them for 16 months, judge Stuart Rafferty said: ‘You clearly have skills as pickpockets. One of you had clearly taken the trouble to buy an item of clothing that provided enough storage.
‘If I were each of you, I would go back to Romania as quickly as possible and not come back again.
‘People seem to think life in this country is easy. It is probably easier than it is in Romania but if you are coming here to steal it makes it miserable for everybody, including your own families.’
The men, Gheorghe Valceanu, 27, pictured, were caught after West Midlands Police received details of a car and its occupants believed to have been involved in a series of thefts
The men, who admitted conspiracy to commit theft and are all of no fixed address, will be deported upon their release from prison. They were slapped with 16-month sentences
The men, who admitted conspiracy to commit theft and are all of no fixed address, will be deported upon their release from prison.
Following their arrests, Notts Police was able to identify a number of phones reported to have been stolen on the night of the gig.
Detective Constable Ruth Towle said: ‘Fans of The Libertines had simply planned on enjoying this gig but their evening was tainted by the calculated actions of these three thieves.
‘It is unfortunately a reality that large crowds at concerts and other busy environments can make rich pickings for criminals where their victims may be temporarily distracted.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the men had specifically targeted the concert, venue pictured, and taken phones from gig-goers who stored them in their front trouser pockets
‘I would remind anyone travelling into the city centre, whether for a particular event or otherwise, to always keep an eye on their belongings, to make sure they are kept secure at all times and, where possible, out of sight.
‘We’d advise people to stay vigilant in these situations and look out for suspicious behaviour, reporting anything they are unsure of to a member of staff on site or the police.
‘We would also advise people to report any phones believed to be lost or stolen to the network provider and to the police.
‘We’ve managed to return 18 of the stolen phones to their rightful owners but there are still two victims we haven’t heard from. It may be that they travelled to the venue from outside the force area.’