A YOUNG Romanian man who tried to rob a woman in Coventry city centre within a month of arriving in this country is likely to be deported – after he has served a prison sentence.
Mariusz Chelsau (24) of Heathcote Street, Coventry, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty at Warwick Crown Court to the attempted robbery.
Prosecutor Ian Windridge said that on September 28 a young woman had been out with friends in Coventry city centre when she was approached by Chelsau near the entrance to the West Orchards car park.
He asked her about her phone, which she had in her hand, and, in broken English, made it clear he was going to take it.
To prevent him snatching it from her hand, she put the phone in her bag, which she had on with the strap across her body.
Chelsau grabbed hold of the strap and tried to pull the bag from her, but she resisted and shouted for him to leave her alone as one of her friends called the police.
She pulled away from him and began to run along Upper Wells Street towards the ring road, and as Chelsau pursued her other people, including a taxi driver, intervened.
One of them tackled Chelsau to the ground, and he was held until the police arrived and arrested him.
It was argued by Chelsau’s barrister that the sentence could be suspended.
But that was rejected by Judge Anthony Potter, who told Chelsau: “I consider that would not be doing my duty to protect members of the public from attacks like this in the city centre.”
And the judge added: “I make no order, but I presume you will be deported when you have served your sentence.
“You offended so seriously and so soon after coming to this country that I would have thought that was a clear indication that your presence in the United Kingdom is detrimental to the population.”
