by Julia Roberts

A Romanian national who posed as a Big Issue seller to steal mobile phones has been jailed.

Florin Lingugar, 25, targeted customers and staff at a Medway hair salon and two estate agents to fund his gambling addiction.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that on one day alone in April he carried out five such thefts in Sevenoaks, Gravesend, Gillingham, Rainham and Sittingbourne - netting phones worth more than £2,000.

Among them were Jessica-s of Gillingham, in Watling Street, and Regal Estates and Cavendish Lettings, both in High Street, Rainham.

Keith Yardy, prosecuting, said Lingugar, from Walthamstow, east London, distracted his victims by shoving copies of the Big Issue or other magazines into their faces while snatching their phones.

During one attempted theft, the victim became suspicious because Lingugar did not have an identification badge and knew legitimate sellers were not allowed to sell in offices, shops or restaurants.

Mr Yardy said she managed to grab her iPhone and Lingugar fled when she threatened to call the police.

However, police later discovered a VW Bora car seen in the area at the time had travelled extensively throughout the UK, including into five counties in one day.

He was stopped by police in Devon in July, when officers found three stolen iPhones and six copies of the Big Issue.

Lingugar, who was jailed for 46 weeks, admitted nine thefts between March and July as well as one of attempted theft. He asked for a further five similar offences relating to stealing phones and jewellery to be taken into consideration.

The total value of all his offences was almost £16,000. At the time he was subject to a conditional discharge imposed for theft.

Accomplice Nicolae Rostas, 26, also from Walthamstow, admitted three thefts and dangerous driving after being arrested as the driver of the car Lingugar was found in by police in Devon. He was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid work.

Sentencing Lingugar, Recorder Matthew Nicklin said the thefts were planned and organised. He told Lingugar he had "wasted" previous chances given to him by the courts.

Recorder Nicklin told Rostas he was a willing accomplice in the thefts, but accepted Rostas' dangerous driving was a result of panic.

Flavia Kenyon, defending, said Lingugar committed the thefts to fund his gambling addiction. She said he hoped to return to Romania to be with his wife and daughter.

She added he was remorseful and accepted his behaviour was irresponsible.