News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

money.jpg
Alamy
money.jpg
Alamy
World News

Couple that stole from church charity box avoid prison

by Sophie Drew

A married couple that stole from a church charity box in Derry have been spared jail.

Florea Manolescu, 42, and Mariana Zamfir, 40 were caught via CCTV footage.

The crime was described as a “serious case of theft” from a charity that “deals with the poorest in society,” but it was impossible to know exactly how much of the recovered funds came from the charity box.

Police recovered £430, $100 (£80) and €100 (£88) from the couple, but Manolescu claims he only took an envelope from the top of the box, which contained £15.

After CCTV footage caught Manolescu using a probe to steal the money, police were able to decipher his car and number plate.

The vehicle was then found at a bed and breakfast near to the church.

The theft was reported by Father Michael McCaughey on Tuesday, 25th of April, at 4.30pm.

The couple were visiting family and told the court they planned to return home to Romania the following week.

Manolescu admitted to the crime, and confirmed he was both the owner of the vehicle, and the man that appeared in the CCTV footage.

Zamfir said her husband did not share the money with her, but she did act as a lookout, the judge ruled.

The recovered money is to be given to the charity, St Vincent De Paul.

The charity – which recently celebrated it’s 190th anniversary – describes itself as “dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to those in need.”

Manolescu was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years, while Zamfir was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate