Jailed after stealing “quality” vodka

Two Romanian labourers shoplifted thousands of pounds worth of booze from seven Co-op stores over five months because of the“quality”of the chain’s vodka.

Marius Barbu and Marian Prioteasa got away with more than £2200 worth of vodka, none of which was recovered.

Living in Motherwell at the time, they targeted Co-ops in Callander, Aberfoyle, Cambusbarron, Stirling, Killearn, Alloa and Alva between March 9 and August 14 this year.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that the stores in Aberfoyle, Cambusbarron, Alloa and Alva were all hit twice.

Lindsey Brooks, prosecuting, said the pair were traced after shop staff and police analysed CCTV.

Through an interpreter, Barbu, 22, and Prioteasa, 31, both pleaded guilty to theft.

Sheriff William Gilchrist asked:“Is there any reason why the shops were all Co-ops? I mean, why pick on the Co-op?”

Solicitor-advocate George Pollock, for Prioteasa, replied:“It was the quality of the goods.”

Lisa McGuigan, for Barbu, said:“He was led astray.”

Jailing the pair for eight months on Thursday, Sheriff Gilchrist said they had been intentionally involved in organised shoplifting from various Co-op premises.

He added:“Both of you have records for shoplifting – a custodial sentence is inevitable.”