Gang that stole from fans at a Libertines’ gig told to ‘go back to Romania’

Organised criminals who used a bodysuit to steal 20 mobile phones from fans at a Libertines’ gig were told by a judge to “go back to Romania”.

The trio struck while distracted revellers watched the band – led by frontman Pete Doherty – perform on stage.

When the house lights came up at Rock City in Nottingham gig-goers found discarded phone cases and SIM cards scattered across the floor.

After his arrest Gheorghe Valceanu, 27, was found to have several phones hidden inside a blue bodysuit he was wearing under his clothes.

Eduard Cirlea, 41, had nine handsets inside the pockets of his jacket.

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Driver Daniel Ratusanu, 41, was also arrested after more phones were found inside the gang’s getaway car.

Nottingham Crown Court heard the men targeted the concert in an organised operation to swipe phones from punters.

They were caught after police received a tip-off.

The court heard the men had come to the UK from Romania to find work.

The trio were each jailed for 16 months after admitting theft.

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Judge Stuart Rafferty told them: “If I were you I would go back to Romania as quickly as possible and not come back again."

Det Con Ruth Towle, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Fans of The Libertines had simply planned on enjoying this gig but their evening was tainted by the calculated actions of these three thieves.

“We’ve managed to return 18 of the stolen phones to their rightful owners but there are still two victims we haven’t heard from.

“We’d advise people to stay vigilant in these situations and look out for suspicious behaviour, reporting anything they are unsure of to a member of staff on site or the police."

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