TWO men involved in a country pub ‘distraction’ burglary, where one sneaked into the private living quarters and stole cash, are both behind bars.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Stefan Costea, 31, grabbed the attention of the manager of the Ram Inn, Cliviger, after Mihai Stan, 26, crept upstairs, making sure his accomplice was not disturbed as he stole more than £400.

The Romanians, who were said to have come to this country to look for work, were caught after CCTV showed them leaving the premises in a car and it was stopped two days later in Yorkshire, by police.

Costea, a father-of-one and father-of-two Stan, both of Edgware Street, Leeds, admitted burglary last February 8 and were each locked up for seven months.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said the manager was going up the stairs, when Costea told him: “Mister, I need you.”

The manager tried to help the defendant and a woman with him with a food order. Costea said he would call his friend to try and find out what they wanted.

The woman then said she had a headache and needed hospital and they left.

The manager later went up to the office and found £405 missing from his wallet. He became suspicious and checked the CCTV.

It showed a third person had gone up the stairs while Costea was in the premises.

For Stan, Philip Holden said: “In Romania, he has a wife and two children and he is keen, on release, to go back and resolve to look after his family.”

Defending Costea, Simon Gurney said: “He is very remorseful.”

Judge Simon Newell told the defendants: “It appears to me it was a planned and premeditated distraction burglary.”