Man jailed for stealing £1,000 worth of alcohol

A THIEF described as a “professional criminal” is behind bars after nicking over £1,000 worth of alcohol in one fell swoop.

Viorel Predoi, from Princess Street, Foleshill, struck at the Asda store in neighbouring Nuneaton on March 10.

He stole booze which totalled in at £1,050 and pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared at Coventry Magistrates’ Court later in the month.

He was jailed for 12 weeks with magistrates saying that the the number of, and nature of, the 43-year-old’s offences show he is a “professional criminal”.

They also cited his “flagrant disregard for people and their property” as an aggravating factor in deciding to send him to prison.

Other cases heard at Coventry Magistrates’ Court between March 22 and 25 included: Suresh Patel, 34, of no fixed address, admitted stealing a hair brushes worth £99 from Boots in Lower Precinct, stealing make-up worth £854 from Boots in Lower Precinct, possession of cannabis and possession of diamorphine.

He was sent to prison for 24 weeks.

Craig Nicholson, 33, of Wathen Road, Warwick, admitted two counts of making off without paying for fuel worth total of £118, handling stolen goods (clothing, luggage, toys and toiletries) and stealing Peppa Pig clothing from Asda.

He was fined £150 and ordered to pay £118 compensation and a £34 victim surcharge.

Jacob Porter, 29, of Queens Road, Atherstone, admitted stealing electrical items worth £116 from B&M Bargains and committing an offence while subject to a suspended sentence (theft and failing to answer bail).

He was sent to prison for 18 weeks (two weeks for new offence and 16 weeks imposed from suspended sentence) and ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge.

Gelu Alexandru, 46, of Harnall Lane East, Hillfields, admitted driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

He was banned from driving for a year, given 150 hours unpaid work, fined £340 and ordered to pay £135 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

Robert Stelica, 26, of Hollis Road, Stoke, admitted driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He was banned from driving for a year, given 150 hours unpaid work, fined £300 and ordered to pay £135 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

Kelvin Wilson, 28, of Aldermans Green Road, Aldermans Green, admitted drug-driving in Far Gosford Street, possession of cocaine and possession of cannabis.

He was banned from driving for a year, given 150 hours unpaid work, fined £488 and ordered to pay £135 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Vincent Marren, 29, of Sovereign Road, Earlsdon, admitted drinkdriving (breath 107, limit 35) in Kingston Road.

He was banned from driving for 28 months and ordered to pay £135 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Lewis Wheatley, 26, of Ridgethorpe, Willenhall, admitted drugdriving in Coronation Road.

He was banned from driving for three years, fined £120 and ordered to pay £135 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.