A JUDGE told an Eastern European fraudster his crimes gave “all people from Romania a bad name”.

Costantin Procopciuc, 20, used a device known as a ‘Lebanese loop’ to steal money from cash machines in Banbury and Chipping Norton.

At Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday, Recorder John Hardy said the defendant “came here and conducted himself in such a way as to give his country and all persons coming from it a thoroughly bad name, and a reputation which in general terms they do not deserve”.

Prosecutor Tony McGeorge said Procopciuc, of Hilton Road, Banbury, operated with a 15-year-old accomplice. The pair were caught by off-duty policeman Pc John Thirlaway.

The officer spotted the Lebanese loop on a cashpoint in Horse Fair, Banbury, on November 9 and alerted CCTV operators.

The pair were arrested shortly afterwards.

The Lebanese loop stops legitimately withdrawn cash being dispensed and, as the account holder goes to complain, the fraudsters sneak out and take the loop with the money attached.

Procopciuc’s fingerprints also linked him to another device found in Chipping Norton on October 1.

He admitted two counts of possessing an article for use in fraud and asked for five other offences in the Banbury area to be considered.

Donal Lawler, defending, said his client came to Britain four years ago. He has previous convictions for thefts and failing to comply with community orders.

Jailing Procopciuc for eight months, Recorder Hardy said: “During 2011 you have shown a prolific appetite for many offences of dishonesty.

“They have an effect on the reputation of your compatriots ...They give all people from Romania a bad name. It’s not only you whose reputation is sullied by this activity but others who are making a good life for themselves here.”