THREE people who admit stealing money from a vulnerable Powys man who has since died will be sentenced later this month.
Romanian nationals Manuela Dobre, Darisa Tanase and Ionatan Stan all entered guilty pleas to theft when they appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday, November 3.
Dobre, 21, Tanase, 19 and who is also known as Samantha Dimitriou, and 18-year-old Stan denied burglary in relation to entering Ronald Marples’ home in Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, on August 3 this year.
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All three, however, did admit theft on Friday. The prosecution formerly offered no evidence in relation to the burglary charge and it was withdrawn.
The trio, who have been held in custody since their arrests, admit stealing £150 from Mr Marples, who has since passed away.
The case had originally been listed on Friday to dismiss all charges, due to there being no statement from the victim. Police did obtain one from him, but the court heard he has since died.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins described the crime as a “targeted distraction of an elderly man”.
He said: “This was a nasty offence, which clearly crosses the custody threshold.
“The complainant was, by virtue of the fact he is now deceased, a vulnerable person.”
He remanded all three as before into custody and set the sentencing date as November 16.
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