Romanian pickpocket jailed for Birmingham Christmas market attempted theft

A Romanian pickpocket has been jailed for 14 weeks after she was caught red-handed by undercover police officers at Birmingham's German Christmas market.

Lulia Raducanu, from Foleshill, Coventry, was spotted delving into a woman's handbag in Victoria Square on Thursday as she queued at a bar.

The 23-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft and after admitting the offence at Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday was jailed for 14 weeks.

Accomplice and housemate Olguta Petre, aged 19, also admitted trying to steal from market customers and will be sentenced on 16 December. A third woman, aged 46, was arrested but later released without charge.

The women were arrested by officers from the city centre theft team who mingle with festive shoppers on the lookout for pickpockets.