Courts / Dublin / Report

No jail for bogus charity collector who stole jewellery worth €10k from elderly couple

Summary

A 20‑year‑old Romanian teenager, Carmen Nicolae, was sentenced to a suspended two‑year imprisonment for stealing €10,000 worth of jewellery from an elderly couple in Artane on 2 October 2015. Nicolae pretended to be collecting for charity, claiming she was Spanish and collecting for the starving in Africa. She entered the couple's house, was allowed to use the bathroom, and then stole a collection of sentimental items including a diamond engagement ring, charm bracelet, gold chains, an eternity ring, earrings and cuff links. The stolen items were never recovered. A palm print from the jewellery box matched Nicolae's. She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had five prior convictions for theft and fraud. Judge Patricia Ryan described the offence as "mean and nasty" and imposed a suspended sentence, noting that if she returned to court she would be dealt with seriously.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: No jail for bogus charity collector who stole jewellery worth €10k from elderly couple. Charges or matters: the theft of jewellery at the couple's house in Artane on October 2, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 2, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-02-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report