SHOPS across west Wales were plagued by a Romanian with an astonishing ability to make £10 notes disappear up his sleeve even when assistants were staring at him.
Baron Rostas, aged 31, used ‘sleight of hand’ to smuggle up to £200 a time into his clothing.
And Rostas even managed to get his hand into the till and steal coins.
Rostas had travelled from his home in Rotherham to target small businesses.
Rostas had been jailed for 40 weeks by magistrates at Haverfordwest but today (Dec 12) appealed to a judge at Swansea Crown Court for a shorter sentence.
Judge Paul Thomas said magistrates had exceeded the advice of the Sentencing Guidelines Council and reduced the jail term to eight weeks.
But he ordered Rostas to repay £600 to three shops.
Rostas had admitted three thefts and three attempted thefts.
Tom Scapens, prosecuting, said Rostas had produced huge numbers of £20 notes at the Best-one, Milford Haven, Spar and Post Office, Monkton, and Ultracomida, Narberth, where he asked the shop assistants to change them for £10 notes.
As he pretended to count the £10 notes he slipped up to 20 at a time up his sleeve without the assistants noticing.
And he also had a way of putting his hand in the tills without anyone noticing as when police arrested him in Tenby he had £217 in small change as well as £1,200 in notes.
Police also found a Tom Tom satnav which revealed where he had visited in west Wales.
Mr Scapens said it was conceded that Rostas was responsible for stealing only half the £1,200 as another man had also been arrested. He will stand trial later.
Judge Paul Thomas said it was concerning that Rostas had travelled “a long way from home” to carry out thefts.
And it was also worrying that Rostas had a similar conviction for a theft in Newcastle, which was also a long way from Rotherham.
“I suggest you stay in Rotherham, or stop committing offences. If you get caught again the sentence will be longer,” warned Judge Thomas.
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