Thieves face ‘bleak future’ in Romania

George Mazarache, 22, Laurentiu Petcu, 18, Julieta Mazarache, 18, and David Jigenara, 18, all admitted shoplifting clothing from Primark and footwear from Sports Direct in the Overgate Shopping Centre on October 11.

All four were admonished at Dundee Sheriff Court after it was revealed that a flight was booked to return to Romania today.

They had spent about five weeks in Perthshire carrying out seasonal work.

Two other men were initially charged with shoplifting

Depute fiscal Sue Ruta told the court the quartet was brought to the attention of staff at The McManus at around 12.50pm.

Police were asked to attend the museum as it was suspected the four were in possession of stolen property hidden by two males. A review of CCTV footage was carried out and camera operators informed officers that they had seen a group of people fitting their description in the Nethergate area of Dundee city centre.

Ms Ruta said: “Police attended and found two bags lying loose on the pavement and at this time they spoke to the second accused and Julieta Mazarache.

“All of the group were together. Given that they were suspected of being involved in shoplifting, a CCTV review was carried out in Sports Direct and Primark and evidence of stolen property was found in the accused’s possession.”

The court heard £260 worth of clothing was stolen from Primark with £385 of footwear taken from Sports Direct. All of the stolen items were recovered.

Solicitor Kris Gilmartin, who acted for Mr Jigenara, said all four were only in the country for a short period of time on seasonal work.

He said their intention was to send money home but most of their earnings had been spent on accommodation and travel arrangements.

The court heard that the four are returning to a “bleak future” in Romania due to a lack of job prospects in their home country.

Mr Mazarache described the thefts in court as an “act of stupidity”.

Sheriff Martin-Brown admonished and dismissed all four on the charges.

FOUR Romanian nationals were caught with £645 worth of stolen goods in Dundee city centre.

The Overgate