Romanian burglar returned to Britain to carry out more crimes after he was deported

A deported Romanian who ruined Christmas for an elderly couple when he returned to Britain to break into homes has been jailed for more than two years.

Stejarel Tranca, 47, burgled three houses across London including a property in Fyfield Road, Walthamstow, last Christmas Eve.

Prosecutor Alex Matic said: ‘The owners who are an elderly couple left during the day and during this time their home was broken into.

‘Various items of jewellery were taken, cash about £60, bank cards, also a number of gold chains, rings and earrings.

‘The owner also states that these actions have had a devastating effect upon her.

‘These were all gifts she hoped to pass on.’

Judge Kwame Inyundo told Snaresbrook Crown Court that it was also the elderly woman’s birthday.

‘The victim described that your actions have had a devastating and long-lasting effect on her life,’ Judge Inyundo said.

‘You have taken items that her husband and her have worked hard to obtain and she finds that unforgiveable.’

Moving on to the burglary on Brookscroft Road, Walthamstow, Mr Matic said: ‘The owners were away for the weekend and during that weekend entry was made through the kitchen door.

‘It was basically forced, the door came off its hinges, alcohol and cash was taken.

‘Considerable damage was made via entry.’

Describing the burglary at Coniston Gardens, Edgware, northwest London, Mr Matic said: ‘It was occupied at the time.

‘The owner went to collect post…and noticed that entry had been made through the rear kitchen door window.

‘Considerable amount of glass damage.

‘Nothing was taken.’

Tranca was arrested on September 29 this year in the Walthamstow area.

The court heard that he had previously served three years in prison for committing eight separate burglaries and that he was thereafter deported to his home country, Romania.

Ahmed Muen, defending, said: ‘Two years ago he came back to the UK, in 2019.

‘He had not been in trouble for eight years… nothing to suggest that he has convictions back in his homeland of Romania.’

Mr Muen told the court of Tranca’s wife, two young children, and elderly mother suffering with kidney problems, who all live in Romania.

‘He is very remorseful for finding himself in this position.

‘At 47 years old he knows he doesn’t have much opportunity to get his life back on track.’

Sentencing him, Judge Inyundo said: ‘These offences I am dealing with are very serious.

‘What makes them more serious are not just your previous convictions, but the fact of the matter is that you were deported from this country and you returned to this country in 2019.

‘And so, within a short period of time you were out burgling people’s homes again in the United Kingdom.’

Tranca pleaded guilty to the three charges of burglary and was sentenced to 28 months in prison.