Romford nightclub thug in first ID scanner conviction
Many pubs and clubs in South Street are now using ID scanning systems - Credit: Archant
A thug savagely attacked a man outside a nightclub where his ID had been scanned – and was caught a week later trying to get back in.
Gheorghe-Marian Ciovica, 30, was given a two-year suspended sentence at Basildon Crown Court last week in Havering’s first Scan Net conviction.
The ID scanner is used on entry to pubs and clubs in Romford town centre and designed to catch troublemakers.
In the early hours of Saturday May 2, Ciovica beat up a 32-year-old man in South Street, pushing him to the floor and knocking him out with a single punch when he tried to get up.
When police arrived, Ciovica, of Eldred Road, Barking, had fled on a train towards central London.
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He was caught on CCTV leaving nightclub Fiction in South Street hours earlier – where he had provided his personal details on the scanner.
Officers put an alert on the system to notify them if he ever tried to return, which he did the following weekend, when he was arrested.
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Appearing at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on May 11, he pleaded guilty to GBH.
DC Ian Spring of Havering CID Violent Crime Unit, said: “The use of Scan Net and CCTV around Romford town centre played a big part in identifying and capturing Ciovica.
“Romford has a great nightlife and we hope people can safely enjoy what it has to offer.”
At his sentencing on Monday July 6, Ciovica was also given 200 hours community service and a four month curfew from Romford town centre.
Scan Net is supported by police, who hold weekly briefings with door staff and licensees to highlight anyone related to violence, theft and drug offences.
Punters described the system as “Orwellian” when it was widely introduced in February last year.
