Couple went on £30,000 Tesco shoplifting spree as they hit stores across 11 counties - including three in one day - to steal cosmetics, alcohol and beauty products

A Romanian couple who shoplifted over £30,000 worth of alcohol and perfumes from Tesco supermarkets across the country have each been sentenced in court.

Marian Oprescu, 27, and his girlfriend Alexandra Radu, 24, of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, strolled along multiple Tesco aisles before walking out of the stores without paying for items. 

Oprescu acted alone in many instances between February and August this year - stealing from stores in 11 English counties from Gloucestershire to Northumberland - but was accompanied by Radu on several thieving expeditions. 

They mostly stole cosmetics, alcohol, washing detergent and health and beauty items by removing security tags before leaving the supermarkets.

On Tuesday, Nottingham Crown Court heard the couple's offending was brought to an end when police arrested them at their home on September 6 and found a huge haul of stolen items during a search of the address.

Oprescu pleaded guilty to 27 shop thefts worth around £25,000, while Radu pleaded guilty to seven shop thefts worth around £6,000.

Oprescu was jailed for two years and three months, while Radu's sentencing was deferred for six months. A judge told Radu she will avoid a prison sentence if she commits no further offences before her next court appearance.

The pair were caught following an investigation led by Nottinghamshire Police, which was launched after a string of thefts at Tesco Extra in Jubilee Way South, Mansfield.

Inquiries found Tesco stores were stolen from in 11 counties including Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire and County Durham. 

The worst day of offending took place on July 24, when Oprescu stole nearly £10,000 of goods from three Tesco stores – one in Northallerton in North Yorkshire, as well as two stores in Stockton-on-Tees near Middlesbrough.

He also stole £7,000 worth of printer ink at a Tesco store in Northumbria on 20 March.

Radu's offending was less prolific having accompanied Oprescu on part of the six-month shoplifting spree.

Her most prolific day was August 15 when she and Oprescu stole around £3,000 worth of goods from two Tesco stores in Mansfield, Derbyshire.

Sergeant Louise Ellis, who led the investigation, said: 'This was an intelligence-led investigation that involved more than 200 hours of work from ourselves and Tesco, who played a key role in gathering the evidence needed to put Oprescu and Radu before the courts.

'Together they caused significant harm to stores across the country and we are pleased to see them face the consequences of their persistent offending.

'Retail crime has been high on the public agenda and Nottinghamshire Police are leading the way in tackling the problem by working in partnership with large retailers.

'By working together and streamlining processes, we are able to bring offenders to justice quicker and easier than ever before.

'We will continue working closely with partners in the retail sector to prevent business crime.'