Booze theft pair could be deported

Two serial thieves who stole booze from a Callander supermarket were jailed for four months.

Ciprian Amazaleau (34) and 39-year-old Laurentiu Predeteanu admitted stealing alcohol from the Co-op in Main Street on November 14.

The Romanian nationals, both of Motherwell, appeared for sentence at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that the duo had also been responsible for a spate of similar thefts elsewhere in Scotland.

Lawyer Lisa McGuigan told the court that they were realistic about the prospect of a custodial sentence.

She also pointed out that Predeteanu was “extremely remorseful and ashamed of his behaviour.”

The solicitor explained that Predeteanu’s intention had been to come to Scotland to find work so he could send money back home to his family.

Ms McGuigan added: “He has been in custody for a few weeks now and in communication with family back in Romania.

“He would be in a position to pay a fine. His father has helped with that. He does have some money in Romania.

“He could pay any fine imposed today.”

Once released he intends to find work in Scotland, she said.

Sheriff MacDonald pointed out that they could also be deported as well as imprisoned.

Ms McGuigan replied that both men understood that deportation was a possibility.

Jailing each of them for four months, backdated to November 20, Sheriff MacDonald told them: “This was a planned and organised act of dishonesty.

“Both of you travelled to this jurisdiction for the sole purpose of the commission of this crime. Both of you acted together as part of a common plan.

“I have to have regard to the planned nature of this offence, together with the spate of smilar offending that has occurred elsewhere in Scotland at your hands within a short space of time.

“There is no other appropriate disposal available to me other than imposing a period of imprisonment.

“In each case sentence I would have imposed would have been six months’ imprisonment but I will reduce that to four months in each case because you took the opportunity to plead guilty at the first opportunity.

“I make no order in respect of deportation, but fully anticipate that the UK Home Office may already be aware of the circumstances.”