Man who stole money from his friends jailed for six months

A seasonal worker who stole money from friends because he felt they had “misled” him has been jailed for six months.

Perth Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Marinel Ciobann, 21, of no fixed abode, had arrived in the Perthshire area with some Romanian friends who told him he would earn around £2,000 a month from the farm work.

When he found he was only being paid around £500, he became angry and stole money from his friends.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said: “Two of the accused’s friends discovered they had money taken from their bank accounts using their bank cards. They both reported this to the bank who then notified the police.”

The court also heard that Ciobann stole money from wallets that had been left inside the jackets of the friends as they slept in the accommodation provided at the Perthshire farm.

“Police were told the accused had travelled to Glasgow Airport and he was located there following a search,” Mr Kermode said.

“Officers found £1,169.29 on the accused. He admitted he had used the bank cards but initially denied stealing the money from the wallets.”

Ciobann admitted stealing £251.65 and £191.65 from St Madoes ATM on August 8 using a bank card that did not belong to him.

He also admitted stealing £340 from Tesco ATM in South Street, Perth, using a bank card that did not belong to him.

In addition, he pleaded guilty to stealing £745 and £570 from Tofthill Farm, St Madoes, on August 14.

Sheriff Gillian Wade backdated the prison sentence to August 16.