Romanian man stole over £900 worth of No7 serum after smoking cannabis which caused him to 'act out of character'

A Romanian man who stole over £900 worth of facial serum from a County Derry chemist claimed that he had smoked cannabis prior to the theft which caused him to 'act out of character'.

Appearing before Limavady Magistrates Court, sitting in Coleraine today, was George Dumitrescu.

The defendant, of Tithebarn in Carlisle, admitted committing the offence on August 8.

The court heard that police were called to Boots in Ballykelly at 2.40pm following a report of a theft.

Officers spoke to the manager who stated that two foreign national males had entered the store a short time beforehand and walked around the shop before approaching an area containing skin serums.

One of the men lifted numerous bottles of No7 serum and concealed them within his gilet.

The court heard that he was holding paper in his hands which he had tried to use to conceal his actions.

A number of fungal nail treatments were also stolen during the incident.

The manager was able to provide a description of both men to the police and some time later, a vehicle which Dumitrescu was travelling in was stopped at Toomebridge.

During interview, the 41 year-old accepted that he had taken the items although he said he was unsure of how many he had taken.

He told police that he had smoked cannabis before entering the chemist and said that this had caused him to 'act out of character'.

Dumitrescu's solicitor Keith Kyle said that the stolen goods, valued at £924, were recovered and were fit for resale.

Mr Kyle said that Dumitrescu, who has no previous criminal record, has been living in the UK for some time now and at the time of the offence he had been spending time with a friend who lives in the local area.

District Judge Peter King fined Dumitrescu £400.