Romanian couple convicted of stealing hundreds of pounds worth of goods during shoplifting spree at TK Maxx store in Derry

A Buncrana couple, originally from Romania, who stole goods from the TK Maxx store in the Waterside on three separate occasions have been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates Court.

Victor Raduta (45) and Geanina Raduta (46) of The Woods in Buncrana County Donegal admitted stealing goods valued at more than £300 on January 6, March 25 and June 4.

The court heard that on June 4 police were called after a report of two shoplifters being detained at TK Maxx.

They attended and the two defendants were being held in a room.

The police were told they had entered the store at around 11.15am and had secreted items in their clothing and on their person.

Other items they placed in a basket and paid for at the till.

When they exited the store they were detained and the goods were valued at around £100.

Staff in the store recognised the pair as being involved in earlier incidents where items valued at more than £200 had been taken in January and March in similar circumstances.

The pair were interviewed on June 4 and made no comment and again on July 7 when they were shown CCTV but they declined to watch it.

Despite being identified on CCTV the pair denied the offences.

District Judge Barney McElholm fined each of them £500 and imposed a six month prison sentence suspended for two years on the pair.

They were ordered to pay £106 each in compensation.