Man who stole from lovers gets jail
A man who has been sentenced to 16 months in jail for stealing the possessions of men who he was sleeping with.
Slovakian born Ivan Stefancik, 31, pocketed at least £9,000 from 10 men he slept with in a two-year spree.
A well known face on London’s gay scene, Stefancik was found after police sent pictures of him around the gay community asking for information about his whereabouts.
He was jailed despite claims that he contracted the HIV virus in Britain from one of his victims and that he had to steal to support himself.
Diane Buck, defending, told the court: “He feels that some of these offences may be linked to resentment for the way he contracted the infection.”
In 2006 he was jailed by West Suffolk magistrates in Bury St Edmunds after admitting 46 offences of dishonesty in the area.
However, soon after his release he resumed with the series of thefts.
In a series of deceptions, Stefancik stole credit cards, laptops and clothing from his unsuspecting victims.
Kris Venkatasami, prosecuting, said Stefancik’s crimes followed a set pattern.
“The defendant has actually formed relationships with a number of men and stole from them.”
Judge John Hillen said:
“Since you have come to this country you have been thoroughly dishonest.
“The aggravating feature is that you were stealing from sexual partners but there is no information before me that you were deliberately seeking out partners in order to steal from them, but that once in a relationship you stole from them.”
The arrest came after police appealed to the gay community for information of his whereabouts. As a result of the appeal a number of new victims came forward, strengthening the case against him.
He was arrested on March 25th and taken to a police station where he confessed.
