A SERIAL shoplifter from Romania visited Alloa to steal bottles of Champagne from a supermarket.

Ionut Oprea, 29, appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court from custody, accompanied by a translator.

The court heard that Oprea had been arrested on a warrant in England.

Oprea admitted that on October 25 at Tesco, Auld Brig Road, Alloa, he stole a quantity of items including alcohol, with a total value of £273.

The court was told that on his visit to the Alloa store his main target had been Champagne.

Defence solicitor Stan Quirk said his client “travels back and forward from Romania”.

When the sheriff inquired what Oprea’s status was in the UK, Mr Quirk said: “He tells me he made an application five months ago but hasn’t heard any more.”

The solicitor said his client could find accommodation with an “aunt in Coventry”.

Sheriff Neil Bowie pointed out that Oprea had shoplifting convictions in Scotland, England and Wales in the past six months.

He jailed him for 100 days.