A BURGLAR who targeted elderly people in Northwich is now behind bars after a cigarette left at the scene of one of his burglaries gave police the DNA evidence they needed.

Marian Barbu, from Kervelow Street in Oldham, was sentenced to five years in prison at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, December 19.

The 23-year-old had been found guilty by a jury of burglary at a house on Hooton Road, Willaston which occurred on July 13, 2018, and also pleaded guilty for three theft offences in Northwich on May 30, June 6 and June 19, 2019.

During the burglary in Willaston, Barbu entered the house while the occupants were out and stole jewellery and watches to the value of £4430. Barbu left a cigarette at the scene and his DNA was found on this linking him to the incident. The DNA hit led officers to Barbu who also goes by the name of Marian Spirache.

During their investigation officers also linked Barbu to three theft offences in Northwich. On each occasion Barbu targeted elderly victims at the Halifax ATM in Northwich town centre.

During these offences he waited until they had entered their PIN numbers into the ATM and then approached them with a receipt and convinced them the ATM had not given him his money, he then withdrew large sums from the victims accounts which totalled £1,450 which he claimed was his money from the transaction before.

When Barbu was subsequently arrested on June 24, 2019, at his home Oldham, he claimed to be a Marian Spirache and denied being Barbu, however his identity was confirmed via his fingerprints.

DC Roy Wellings said: “Barbu stole money from elderly people and burgled a house during his spree in Cheshire, but thankfully he was caught before he could target further victims thanks to our DNA hit. Being a victim of theft or burglary can be very traumatic so I hope this sentence helps those affected come to terms with their ordeals in some way.”