A would-be thief, caught in Tesco’s Galashiels store with a foil-lined shoulder bag, claimed he had been given the item by two fellow Romanians he met after sleeping rough in Glasgow.
But Sheriff Kevin Drummond said at Selkirk Sheriff Court that he did not accept Lucian Orasanu’s version of events, describing the accused as “an itinerant shoplifter”, and jailing him for 96 days.
Orasanu, 24, of no fixed abode, appeared from custody, and admitted attempting to steal 10 X-box games from the Galashiels store on July 27.
He also admitted being found with a foil-lined shoulder bag, where it may reasonably be inferred he intended to commit theft.
Defence solicitor Matt Patrick said his client had spent the night sleeping rough in Glasgow.
“He said two unknown Romanians gave him the foil-lined bag and he then got on a train and a bus, and ended up in Tesco in Galashiels,” said Mr Patrick.
“He has been in this country for three months, and already has three convictions for shoplifting,” said Sheriff Drummond.
“I do not accept the explanation that has been offered,” he told Orasanu. “I have formed the view that you are simply an itinerant shoplifter.”
The jail-term was back-dated to July 30.