Man stole £2500 worth of goods from Norwich stores

A member of a shoplifting gang, operating in Norwich, who failed to turn up for his court appearance two years ago was caught when he was stopped for a motoring offence, a court heard.

When Stelica Horvath, 20, was stopped in Liverpool it was discovered he was wanted on the shoplifting offences, Norwich Crown Court heard.

John Farmer, prosecuting, said Horvath was with three others that travelled from London to Norwich in October 2014 on a 'shoplifting expedition' and stole electrical items from John Lewis and the Apple store as well as a designer shirt. He said the total value of the items was £2500, but Horvath failed to turn up for a court appearance on November 6, 2014.

After being arrested on a motoring offence this week he was brought to Norwich Crown Court where Horvath, from London, admitted the shop thefts and breaching his bail two years ago.

Judge Anthony Bate imposed a 10 month custodial sentence and said: 'You and others targeted shops in the centre of Norwich to steal items of considerable value. It is clear you came to Norwich from London as a gang for the express purpose of stealing.'

Ian James, for Horvath, who had the help of a Romanian interpreter, said: 'He is only 20 and realises the seriousness of his position. Since he has been at large he has not offended again.'