Two Romanians convicted in France for thefts from 15 cemeteries: bronze statuettes worth €27,000
The criminal court in Laval convicted two Romanian citizens to three and two-and-a-half years in prison respectively for the theft of bronze statuettes from 15 cemeteries.
Convictions in Laval following thefts from cemeteries in Mayenne and Ille-et-Vilaine
The criminal court in Laval delivered prison sentences on Tuesday against two Romanian citizens, found guilty of theft of bronze statuettes and ornaments from 15 cemeteries located in the departments of Mayenne and Ille-et-Vilaine, according to G4Media.
The 32-year-old man received a sentence of three years in prison, whilst his co-defendant, aged 34, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years. The prosecution had sought sentences of five and four years respectively, accompanied by a ban from entering French territory, according to Le Figaro.
The two had lived in France for several years and had criminal records for similar offences. The Laval prosecutor's office had charged them with "theft in a group, accompanied by damage to and desecration of graves". Gendarmes arrested them at the beginning of May, identifying them through their mobile phones.
During hearings, the two men admitted to the removal of 84 bronze statuettes and ornaments from six cemeteries in Mayenne and nine cemeteries in Ille-et-Vilaine. The total loss was estimated at €27,000, but the stolen goods were not recovered — they had been sold for approximately €2,000.
In addition to custodial sentences, the defendants were ordered to pay compensation to the victims totalling over €70,000. Of the 60 victims, 49 constituted themselves as civil parties in the proceedings.
Source: G4Media