A ROMANIAN national who conned three different Pembrokeshire businesses out of £200 each using a “sophisticated” sleight of hand technique was jailed for 40 weeks yesterday (Nov 22).

Baron Rostas, 27, who gave an address in Rotherham, pleaded guilty to three charges of theft from a shop, all of which took place on November 17, at Ultracomida in Narberth, Monkton Post Office, and The Best One in Charles Street, Milford Haven.

Bobi Anghel, 18, pleaded not guilty to the same charges, along with charges of driving without a valid licence and insurance.

Prosecuting, Abul Hussein said that Rostas had gone into various premises and purchased items. He had then produced a large quantity of £20 notes, and asked for them to be changed in to £10 notes. He then discreetly pocketed a quantity of the cash, before telling the cashier that he had changed his mind and swapping the money back.

“He has confused the cashier, and distracted them, so they don’t realise that he has taken the money,” Mr Hussein added.

The theft of £200 in each case was not noticed until the till were cashed up at the end of the day.

The court was shown CCTV footage of one of the incidents, which indicated Rostas palming money to one side, and concealing a number of notes in his left hand.

Defending, Mark Layton said that Rostas was willing to pay compensation of £600.

Describing his previous offending as “limited”, Mr Layton said that Rostas, who has previously been convicted for a similar matter, was employed as a car washer in Rotherham.

It had been claimed that he had travelled to the Pembrokeshire area to purchase a car, only to find that it had a serious defect when he arrived, but this was not verified.

“These were thoroughly unpleasant offences, but the defendant could only have obtained a limited amount through the deception,” Mr Layton added.

Speaking through an interpreter, Rostas told the court that he was “extremely sorry” for his behaviour, and assured magistrates that there would be no repetition.

Magistrates told Rostas that the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.
“These were planned, professional and sophisticated offences, which cause significant harm to small businesses,” they added.

In addition to the 40 week custodial sentence, Rostas was ordered to pay compensation of £600, costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £140.

Anghel will be tried at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 19. He was released on conditional bail until then.

Inspector Aled Davies said: “We are very pleased with the sentence handed out to Rostas. It was obvious that these two passing offenders were intent on committing crime and offences during their travels and I am pleased to say that their crime spree came to an abrupt halt in Pembrokeshire.

“Travelling criminals such as these are greedy, dishonest and do not care who they target. Their sole purpose in committing such crimes is to steal money for their own personal benefit. It was a pleasure to be part of the team who eventually arrested and detained these two offenders.”

This week (Nov 21-25) Dyfed-Powys Police are working with partners across the UK to stop criminals using the road networks both within and coming from outside the UK as part of Operation Trivium. Officers will be stopping vehicles and checking drivers’ details with the purpose of dealing a major blow to mobile criminality.

Inspector Davies continued: “Travelling criminals cause distress, annoyance and loss to their victims. Our role is to protect and safeguard the communities that we police. My message to all mobile criminals would be to stay away from Dyfed-Powys – we will always take positive action against travelling criminals and if caught they will be taken to court and prosecuted.

“I would like to take this opportunity to warn people in the Dyfed-Powys community to be wary of money changing scams. Always be vigilant and suspicious of these types of offenders, whose sole purpose is to confuse, using sleight of hand trickery to steal your money.

“If you believe that someone is attempting to commit such offences, do not engage or interact with them and report the incident at your earliest opportunity by calling 101.”