A BUILDER who chose York as the place to continue his international crime career has been ordered to work free for the community.

Nicolae Radvan, 46, travelled to the city from Bradford to steal several bottles of perfume worth together £381 from Boots store in Monks Cross shopping centre on September 23, York magistrates heard.

He failed to answer bail and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

York magistrates heard he arrived in the UK in November after the Dutch courts had convicted him of a number of offences including dishonesty and was cautioned by British police in December for shoplifting.

Radvan, of Kensington Street, Bradford, pleaded guilty to theft and failure to attend court and was ordered to do 120 hours' unpaid work for the community, pay £66.50 compensation to Boots, plus £85 prosecution costs and an £85 statutory surcharge.

For him, Lee-Anne Robins-Hicks said he worked full-time as a builder supporting his wife and children who are in Rumania.

He lived with another Rumanian who wanted to return to his country but didn't have the money for the trip.

"Feeling pity for his friend's situation exercised bad judgement in agreeing to assist in the commission of this offence," said the solicitor.

Radvan had not attended court on October 7 because he had had flu. He had since recovered, she said.

York Press:

Alexandru Daniel Profir, 19, of the same address as Radvan, was charged with the same offence and did not attend court on October 7. He is still wanted on a court warrant.

Mr Butterworth said Radvan and another man separated when they went into Boots and took several bottles of perfume which they placed into a foil-lined bag and then into a rucksack.

But they had been watched by store staff and were stopped as they left the store and the stolen property recovered. Some of the bottles could not be resold.