A MAN has been caged for 12 weeks for stealing a bank card from a pensioner who was using a cash point. Alexandru Rachieru, 20, of Cuthberga Close in Stevenage, was sentenced at Hatfield Remand Court yesterday (Thursday). The victim, a woman in her 70s, w

A MAN has been caged for 12 weeks for stealing a bank card from a pensioner who was using a cash point.

Alexandru Rachieru, 20, of Cuthberga Close in Stevenage, was sentenced at Hatfield Remand Court yesterday (Thursday).

The victim, a woman in her 70s, was using a cash point in Queensway, Stevenage, at about 10.15pm on Wednesday this week when she was distracted by Rachieru, who stole her card and made off.

Chief Inspector for Stevenage, Richard Liversidge, said: "The woman quickly realised that her card had been stolen and, following a prompt call to police, officers were able to apprehend the man minutes later.

"This was a real team effort from Neighbourhood and Intervention teams and CID, which enabled a swift conviction within a day of the offence."

Members of the public are asked to follow this common sense advice when using cash machines:

- Never disclose your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to anyone.

- Always look around you when approaching and using the cash point. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, call police or a bank official.

- If you think a cash machine has been tampered with, call police immediately and inform your bank.

- Where possible, use a cash machine inside a bank or building society.