Romanian jailed for 11 months over iPhone theft

A Romanian man who participated in the theft of an iPhone from a Paceville nightclub has been jailed for 11 months, a sentence which Magistrate Aaron Bugeja said hopes will send a strong message that pickpocketing, which is on the increase, would not be tolerated.  

The court was told how 28-year-old Cezarica Rosioru had stolen the iPhone 6 from a partygoer at Havana late last month, before handing it over to his accomplice, 33-year old Lucian Grecu, who was jailed for seven months last week.  

Magistrate Bugeja said the court could not afford Rosioru a reduction in punishment, in spite of his admission as he had initially pleaded not guilty, withdrawing his not guilty plea at a later stage.

Police Inspectors Matthew Spagnol and John Spiteri prosecuted. Lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace was defence counsel.