Three girls were arrested on a charge of theft after posing as nurses
and breaking into homes to steal valuables, according to police in the
United Kingdom. Now, a 19-year-old woman and two 17-year-old girls have been sentenced
at the Warwick Crown Court, after they pleaded guilty to targeting
elderly and vulnerable victims who they defrauded.
19-year-old Doriela Barbu and the two 17-year-old females, who cannot be
named for legal reasons, caught a train from Birmingham New Street
Station to Leamington Spa.
The girls then visited a number of homes in Warwick and Leamington Spa,
where they produced a card to the homeowner, claiming to be collecting
for charity on behalf of those who are disabled and deaf with the
intention of convincing the occupants to hand over money to them.
On one occasion, the defendants gained entry into the home of an 88-year-old victim by claiming to be nurses.
Once inside, they began to search her home, but before they could steal
anything, the support worker for the victim arrived and the defendants
ran away, pushing her aside.
The girls also targeted a disabled victim who they approached and asked
for directions. While the victim was distracted, one of the girls
reached into the victim’s pocket and tried to steal a cellphone.
The victim moved away from them, and the three females then walked away.
Barbu pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud and one count each of
burglary and attempted theft.
She was sentenced to two years in prison. The two 17-year-old girls both
pleaded guilty to three counts each of fraud and one of burglary.
They were both given a 12 month Youth Rehabilitation Order.
