Couple who stole €2,700 of perfume from Longford pharmacy avoid jail by a 'hair's breath'

A thieving couple who stole perfume valued at almost €2,700 from a Longford pharmacy were warned they avoided a jail sentence by a 'hair's breath'.

Andreea Budeanu and Marius Vaduva, both of 189 Emmet Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8 pleaded guilty to theft on January 14 last at Ward’s Pharmacy, Ballymahon St, Longford.

Sergeant Enda Daly said at 11.15am both defendants entered the premises and they made their way to the perfume section.

“They were captured on CCTV placing 17 bottles of perfume into their jackets and bags,” he added.

Sgt Daly said both defendants walked out of the pharmacy with the goods valued at €2,688 and they made no attempt to pay when they exited the premises.

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The court heard a search warrant was obtained and the defendants' home was searched where some of the perfume was found, however, the remaining perfume was not recovered.

Mr Vaduva and Ms Budeanu had two previous convictions which related to another theft offence in 2019.
Defence solicitor Frank Gearty said he was in a position to hand the balance €688 into court, which along with the money

Gardaí have will bring the €2,688.

He stated there was no excuse, however, he said his clients had pleaded guilty at an early stage and they were living in a house in Dublin paying rent of €400 each per month.

“It was essentially an economic crime and with great regret they are not in the workforce, they are working cash in hand in Dublin,” he added.

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Mr Gearty said the couple came over from Romania where their two children remain and they had €1,700 between them in court as compensation.

The court heard Gardaí were also able to recover €1,000 in perfume to bring compensation above the full amount of €2,688.

“They apologise and it should not have happened, they have come up with the goods as a way of pleading with the court not to give them a custodial sentence,” Mr Gearty added.

Judge Bernadette Owens described it as a ‘very significant theft’ and she asked what their connection was with Longford?

Mr Gearty said they travelled to the area to buy a car but they failed to agree a price.

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“Your clients, they were within a hair’s breath of going into custody here today” Judge Owens replied.

She imposed a four month prison sentence on each of them, however, she suspended it for 18-months on a number of strict conditions.