A gang of Romanian men were admonished yesterday after serving three months in prison for unlawfully entering a north industrial yard with intent to steal.
Milhaly Rostas, 52, Adalbert Kovacs, 48, Costel Covaci, 24, and Emeric Tar, 34, admitted being inside the perimeter fence at Highland Deephaven estate at about 11.10pm on January 24 this year.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that the four men travelled north from their homes in Glasgow and entered the premises near Evanton – but security staff spotted them on CCTV.
Police and key holders were informed and arrived there about 20 minutes later to pursue the criminals.
Fiscal Stuart Maciver said: “At that stage they observed six males within the yard. Two escaped the fencing and three others were observed hiding in the corner of the yard. Those who were hiding were apprehended. Mr Covaci was then seen on a roof of the building and he too was arrested.
“It was anticipated that the two who had gone over the fence may have fled in vehicles and the surrounding roads were monitored by police. At about 12.30am the vehicles were stopped two miles from the locus. Mr Rostas was driving one of the vehicles and he matched the description of one of the men who escaped, and was also apprehended.”
The men were taken to Burnett Road police station and interviews were conducted. Nothing was found to be missing from the premises.
Solicitors representing each of the four men yesterday stressed that their clients had already served the maximum possible custodial sentence for the offence, which is three months.
Rory Gowans, solicitor for Rostas, said that his client had entered the UK from Romania to start a new life and find work, adding: “He was offered employment but the details were vague and Mr Rostas would accept that he soon realised that the work being discussed was not legal work and was perhaps not as legitimate as he had first thought.
“Clearly at that stage he should have removed himself from the situation but he did not, and fully accepts his culpability here.”
Sheriff Mark Thorley said: “None of you come before here with previous convictions. This is a matter of some significance, travelling from Glasgow to Inverness (north of) and committing this offence, however as has been pointed out in the circumstances, the maximum sentence for the offence to which you have plead guilty is three months in custody.
“There will be no further penalty and you will all be admonished. This is a conviction.”
