Romanian professional pickpocket, 20, who preyed on mothers caring for their children while she was pregnant is facing deportation after racking up 11 convictions in a year

  • West Midlands Police seeking to deport 20-year-old pickpocket Pansella Radu
  • The Romanian has racked up 11 convictions and cautions over the last 12 months
  • An image of Radu was issued in Birmingham by police to warn other people

By Sam Baker For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A pickpocket who targeted mothers looking after their children could be deported after being convicted 11 times in the last ten years.

Pansella Radu, 20, was caught swiping purses from mothers that were distracted caring for their children in Birmingham.

Over the course of the last 12 months, Radu has racked up 11 convictions and cautions, including several pickpocketing offences and frauds involving stolen bank cards. 

Now, West Midlands Police have said they are appealing to have Radu deported back to Romania.

West Midlands Police are appealing to have 20-year-old pickpocket Pansella Radu (pictured) deported to Romania after she racked up 11 convictions and cautions over the last 12 months

West Midlands Police are appealing to have 20-year-old pickpocket Pansella Radu (pictured) deported to Romania after she racked up 11 convictions and cautions over the last 12 months

An image of Radu has previously been circulated by police to warn others to be on their guard. 

Last year on September 5, Radu stole a handbag while 'prowling' the children's section of Marks & Spencer.

After being bailed and awaiting a court appearance, she struck again on December 4 in a Primark store when she grabbed a purse from the back of a pushchair.

The victim wrestled the purse back and security staff detained Radu who was later charged for the theft and then bailed by magistrates.

However, only moments after leaving court, Radu went into a JD Sports to steal another purse from a pushchair.

Police arrested her on December 14 after she was spotted in the city centre. 

She was remanded in custody and on January 26 she was handed a 12-month community order and a 20-day rehabilitation order at Birmingham Crown Court.

PC Mat Evans said: 'Radu was heavily pregnant during the offences and used this to help her blend in while looking for victims in the children's section of shops.

In one incident, Radu grabbed purse from a pushchair only moments after leaving court where she had been appearing charged with the theft of another purse in a Primark store. Pictured: Birmingham Crown Court, where Radu was handed a 12-month community order and a 20-day rehabilitation order

In one incident, Radu grabbed purse from a pushchair only moments after leaving court where she had been appearing charged with the theft of another purse in a Primark store. Pictured: Birmingham Crown Court, where Radu was handed a 12-month community order and a 20-day rehabilitation order

'She callously targeted mums who were distracted with babies - and struck during the few months visitors were able to come into Birmingham last year between the Covid-19 lockdowns.

'Radu is a professional pickpocket who despite only having been in the UK for 12 months has racked up a large number of convictions.

'She has shown no remorse for her victims and not paid any compensation.

'I will be pursuing her deportation through Immigration following these latest convictions.'

Birmingham

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