A family of Romanian pickpockets who stole from commuters to build palaces in their homeland were jailed yesterday by a judge who expressed his shock at the clan’s ‘deep-rooted criminality’.The Rostas family preyed on train passengers as they slept on late night trains going out of London, stealing hundreds of mobile phones and cash.
The gipsy gang even used their children as ‘trainee pickpockets’, teaching them that theft is ‘not a serious crime’.
The family, who were living on benefits in Britain, pocketed hundreds of thousands of pounds by stealing from at least 185 victims over two years, although police fear the true number may be at least 1,000.
The stolen phones were sold in Romania for huge profits.
Earlier this year the Daily Mail revealed how the gang enjoyed a life of luxury in Romania where they built five mansions with the proceeds while they swaggered around in designer clothing, gold jewellery and drove a fleet of luxury cars.
Yesterday five members of the family were jailed for conspiracy to steal, but after an unusual plea bargain in the middle of their trial at Blackfriars Crown Court, some could walk free within weeks. Read More
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