Romanian burglars who entered UK illegally jailed
The two men went on a burglary spree one day after entering the country in a car
Last updated 14th Jan 2026
Two Romanian men who entered the UK illegally have been jailed for their involvement in burglaries across Cheshire, Merseyside and North Yorkshire.
44-year-old Ion Zaharia and 23-year-old Samir Barbulesteanu were sentenced to almost eight years collectively, and will be deported back to Romania after their sentences.
The Court heard heard how the two men entered the UK in a car at a port in Harwich.
They drove to Cheshire where they began their burglary spree, one day after arriving.
They attempted to burgle four properties between Wednesday 29th October and Monday 3rd November 2025.
Three of the four burglaries were unsuccessful.
The men were arrested on 9th December in Birmingham Airport as they tried to flee the country on a plane to Amsterdam.
They had cash and gold jewellery in their carry-on.
Zaharia pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit the burglary of a dwelling with the intent to steal and was sentenced to four-years-and-three-months in prison.
Barbulesteanu pleaded guilty to the same offence and was sentenced to three-years-and-six-months in prison.