Man jailed for failed bank scam (From The Northern Echo)

Man jailed for failed bank scam

6:06pm Wednesday 6th April 2011 in Bishop Auckland News

A MAN who was caught in possession of a card skimming device in Bishop Auckland has been jailed.

Alexandru Ionut Dumitrescu, 22, appeared before South Durham Magistrates' Court, in Newton Aycliffe, yesterday for sentencing after pleading guilty to possessing an article for use in fraud.

The court heard that Dumitrescu, of Sandhurst Place, Leeds, and another man were seen acting suspiciously in Bishop Auckland town centre on Tuesday, March 15, repeatedly walking past a cash machine outside the Lloyds TSB branch, in Newgate Street.

Witnesses called the police and when officers arrived at the scene, Dumitrescu fled while the other male was detained.

CCTV footage showed the defendant discarding the device.

Jacqueline Gibson, prosecuting, said: "That was to be used, the Crown (Prosecution Service) would say, to place over the card slot on the ATM.

"That, in conjunction with possessions found on the other male, would have allowed them to gain personal details of people using themachine."

Andrew Petterson, mitigating, said that Dumintrescu had come to the UK from Romania five months ago with a sum of money to try and establish a livelihood and career.

He said: "It has not been a very happy period for him. He has been unable to get benefits, work or a National Insurance number and his money ran out.

"He did not get to place the device, so no one lost any money and nobody has lost out in terms of customers' accounts.

"His ultimate ambition is to save up and return to Romania as soon as possible."

Magistrates imposed a 12week prison sentence on the defendant and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the skimming device.