He’s at it again! Romanian shoplifter walks free (again)

A Romanian shoplifter who was allowed to carry on his stealing spree after he was twice granted bail walked free again.

Sergiu Filimon, 21, was seen on CCTV stealing an unknown quantity of vodka from Tesco’s in Hammersmith Broadway on May 2 this year.

The kitchen porter then returned to the store five days later and stole ten bottles of vodka worth £399.90, Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court was told.

Filimon once again returned later that same evening and was detained by the store manager but let go.

Four days later he was back and the police were called.

When he came before the court for the offence he pleaded guilty and was released on bail and said: ‘I do not want to go to jail’.

He then tried to steal £199.95 worth of shirts from TK Maxx on Kensington High Street on May 25.

Filimon once again found himself in front of a judge and again pleaded guilty but begged: ‘I am sorry, I need one more chance.’

He was once again released on bail.

Six days later he caught stealing a pair of jeans from H&M on Kings Street in Hammersmith.

But Filimon was spared jail once again after Hammersmith Magistrate Nina Toller gave him another chance.

When Mrs Toller asked him why he keeps committing crime he said he saw ‘other Romanian guys’ doing it so he did it as well.

‘For the offence on May 31, which was the second offence commuted on bail, you are going to get 16 weeks in custody,’ said Mrs Toller.

‘You expressed remorse to court but went out immediately and committed a similar offence.’

‘For the offence on May 25 you are fined £350.

‘You will face not separate sentence for the first two offences.’

Filimon, of Dalling Road, Hammersmith, was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months after he admitted theft.

He will also have to pay a total of £949.90 in costs including the £350 fine, £399.90 compensation to Tescos, a £115 surcharge and £85 costs.