Illegal immigrants stole £500 from elderly man withdrawing cash from bank

An illegal immigrant was involved in a theft of an elderly man at a cash point after he distracted him and took £500 as he withdrew it. The 88-year-old victim said he had "lost his independence" as he would no longer go into town on his own.

Marian Barbu, 30, and Samoila Vasile, 21, were seen walking towards the victim who was withdrawing money from Lloyds Bank in Merthyr Tydfil town centre on January 9 last year. Vasile was seen to walk past the man, but Barbu approached him and began speaking to him.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday heard Barbu went up to the victim and said "Cancel".

Prosecutor Josh Scouller said the victim was left "confused" by what the defendant was saying.

As the cash came out of the ATM, Barbu took the money as the victim looked on in shock.

The defendant then placed a device on top of the machine before he walked away.

The victim left the bank in shock and contacted the police later on that day.

Both Barbu and Vasile were arrested the next day after they were inside a vehicle on the northbound carriageway of the M5 in Gloucestershire.

Following their arrests, it was discovered both defendants were in breach of deportation orders.

Barbu, of Fulham Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty to theft and knowingly entering the UK in breach of deportation order. The defendant has 14 previous convictions, including offences of theft, robbery and a deportation offence

Vasile, of Fishponds Road, Bristol, pleaded guillty to knowingly entering the UK in breach of deportation order. The defendant has nine previous convictions, including offences of theft, robbery, and criminal damage.

In mitigation, Hywel Davies for Barbu, said his client will be deported to Romania following his sentence, but he will be separated from his five children who reside in the UK.

Harriet Ealden, for Vasile, said her client is remorseful, and has a three-year-old daughter in Romania.

Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: "You saw (the victim's) vulnerability, approached him and spoke to him to confuse and distract him before grabbing £500 from the cash point."

Barbu was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment.

Vasile was sentenced to a total of 12 months imprisonment.