Traveling pickpocket jailed for eight weeks after robbing customer in Sheffield city centre supermarket

Police were called yesterday to Sainsbury's on High Street to a group of men who security staff had identified as having pickpocketed a customer in the store.

As a result two males were arrested for theft and a further male was arrested for public order offences after becoming threatening towards officers.

Today, Stephen Ion, aged 25, of Biscot Road, Luton appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court charged with theft from a person and was immediately sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment and asked to pay £115 costs.

Daniel Sburatoru, aged 26, of Radnor Road, Luton also appeared on public order offences and was given a conditional discharge and asked to pay £55 in costs.

A third male was released without charge in relation to the theft.

Temporary sergeant, Scott Szymczak, said: "These males had traveled to Sheffield from Luton and gave no account for being in the city.

"In custody, Ion tried to claim that it was all a practical joke, however the overwhelming evidence has led him to pleading guilty at the first opportunity.

"The court recognised the impact such offences have on their victims by sentencing immediate imprisonment.”