A YOUNG Carlisle couple who returned to the Carlisle home they were staying late at night were confronted by three masked burglars.

Walking in on the ongoing burglary must have been “terrifying” for the couple involved, who had been out for the evening to celebrate a birthday, said a judge at the city’s crown court.

Recorder Julian Shaw observed that the offence was part of a “burglary rampage” perpetrated by the three-strong gang during the summer.

Before the court were Antonio Baja, 33, Ion Baban, 39, and 30-year-old Ioam Iovi. All admitted conspiring to burgle properties. Their female associates - Florina Manole, 35 Miriam Avramoaie, 27 - admitted handling stolen goods.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson outlined the facts.

The burglaries were committed between May 29 and June 5, with the trio using similar methods each time, forcing entry to the house via a rear window and then ransacking the property.

The first home to be targeted was at Bothel, the owner having moved into a nursing home.

The next house broken into was at Hayton, near Carlisle. The couple who live there returned home just before 10pm after being out for a few hours and discovered the property ransacked.

Jewellery worth £5,500 was stolen.

In a statement, the woman from the house said she had a “deeply personal connection” with the stolen items and their loss left her feeling that a part of her family history had been taken away.

“The burglary left her feeling violated and unsafe,” said Mr Rogerson.

On May 31, before the third burglary, the jeweller whose home was targeted suspected he was followed as he drove to his Stanwix home. He noticed a VW Golf tailing his car and then driving past his home after he stopped.

The burglars finally struck on June 4, while the jeweller was away on holiday. His stepson and his girlfriend were, however, at the house. They returned home at 10.30pm to find the burglary in progress.

“They were confronted by three men, coming down the stairs,” said the prosecutor. “They were dressed in dark clothing and their faces were covered.”

The stepson initially tried to pursue them.

But the burglars fled across a nearby park before driving away, having stolen jewellery and the young woman’s purse.

The trio returned to their accommodation in Lonsdale Street before leaving the city with the two women. Baban and Iovi were later identified because CCTV from the Stanwix house showed them removing their face masks.

All five people offenders were later arrested – Manole and Baja in Lancashire, where the female was found to be concealing a distinctive hat Baja wore during the last burglary, while the other three were found at a Chester hotel.

Some of the stolen goods were found in a suitcase the three had with them. Referring to the young couple who disturbed the burglars, Mr Rogerson said: “They were extremely shaken and upset.”

The jeweller who owns the house said what happened had “massively impacted” his life. Mr Rogerson added: “He runs a business in Carlisle and was previously attacked by robbers. He puts a value on the stolen items of around £5,500.”

None of the five defendants had previous criminal convictions.

Andrew Evans, for Baja, said he admitted the offence on the basis that he became involved to pay off a drugs debt.

While in jail, he had become abstinent from drugs.

Baban’s barrister said he fully cooperated with the police. Working previously as a van driver, he became involved because he was put under pressure to pay for the van after it went missing.

He apologised to the victims of all three burglaries.

“These burglaries were planned, and they were targeted,” said Recorder Shaw, noting how the gang followed the Carlisle victim to his home. Even though the goods stolen from the Bothel property were recovered, the family were caused shock and distress, said the judge.

Of the Stanwix raid, the Recorder said: “Those young people were confronted by three masked, hooded men coming down the stairs before making off. It must have been terrifying.”

The judge noted that only Baban had apologised to the victims.

Baja, of no fixed address, who admitted the burglary conspiracy on day two of his trial, was given the longest sentence, a 38 month jail term. Iovi, of Worchester Road, London, was jailed for 32 months; Baban was given 28 months.

Manole, of no fixed address, and Avramoaie, of Clay Lane, Coventry, were each jailed for 17 months. The women were working in Carlisle as escorts at the time of the burglaries, the court heard. Avramoaie was identified by the police as a person who was  "vulnerable to exploitation," her barrister told the court. 

All five defendants are likely to be deported when release to Romania for Baban, Iovi Manole, and Avramoaie, and to Albania for Baja.