In a perfect world, going to a concert usually involves turning up, maybe having a few drinks, watching your favourite band play, then leaving satisfied with no illegal activity having occurred during the event. However, one bloke who was in attendance at a recent Royal Blood concert clearly didn’t get that memo, and has been jailed for his actions at the gig.
Back in November, it was revealed that 22-year-old Alin Marin was in attendance at Royal Blood’s November 18th concert at Birmingham when he undertook the seemingly-impossible task of stealing 53 phones from concertgoers. (It’s a bit more subtle than A Perfect Circle’s approach to phones at gigs, we’ll give him that.)
Reportedly, Marin wore a swimsuit to the event which, after he lifted the phones from the unaware audience members, allowed him to hide the phones on his person, turning him into what has been described as a “human deposit box”.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that large crowds at concerts such as this make rich pickings for career criminals,” said Detective Sergeant Jeff Clifford at the time. “We’re hot on the heels of these offenders but you can also reduce your chances of falling victim to such crimes by remaining extra vigilant when attending busy events.”
Now, after pleading guilty to the offence at the Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, Alin Marin has been sentenced to three years in jail, The Metro reports.
“This was organised pickpocketing,” stated Sergeant Julia Slater. “Marin went equipped to steal phones and took advantage of revellers enjoying themselves in the standing area.
“Many of the phones were taken from front jeans pockets, which people believe is a safer place to carry valuables, but due to the jostling in the mosh pit they simply didn’t realise they’d been targeted.”
Royal Blood are set to return to Aussie shores next April for their first shows since this year’s brilliant Splendour In The Grass performance. While the chances of Australian audiences being targeted to the same extent as the aforementioned Birmingham crowd are likely slimmer, it definitely pays to be on your guard at all times.
Check out Royal Blood’s ‘Lights Out’:
Royal Blood 2018 Australian & New Zealand tour
Tuesday, April 24th, 2018
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW
Tickets on sale now
Tuesday, May 1st, 2018
Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland, NZ
Tickets on sale now
Thursday, May 3rd, 2018
TSB Bank Arena, Wellington, NZ
Tickets on sale now
Monday, May 7th, 2018
Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets on sale now
Wednesday, May 9th, 2018
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets on sale now
Sunday, May 13th, 2018
HBF Stadium, Perth, WA
Tickets on sale now
