Tuk-tuk driver pleads guilty to stealing £24,000 of wine from celebrity-frequented London restaurant

A 61-year-old tuk-tuk driver, Iuliu Kubola, has pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary after stealing £24,000 worth of wine from a well-known London restaurant. The theft took place on 6 May 2025 at Piazza Italiana, a celebrity-frequented venue on Threadneedle Street. CCTV footage captured Kubola brazenly using a crowbar to break into the restaurant, then loading 73 bottles of high-value wine into a wheelie bin before transporting it to his pedicab.

Kubola did not stop there; he returned on 15 June to steal an additional three bottles valued at £680. His activities came to an end when he was recognised by a police officer on 22 June, leading to his arrest. The damage to the restaurant caused by his forced entry was estimated at £1,425. Kubola is scheduled to be sentenced at the Old Bailey in September 2025.

This case points to the ongoing issue of wine thefts in London’s hospitality sector. In a related incident earlier this year, Shahed Ahmed, 41, was jailed for 17 weeks after stealing 13 bottles of wine worth £8,100 from Eataly London. Ahmed’s arrest the day after the offence, aided by distinctive CCTV footage, highlights the vigilance of City of London Police in addressing these crimes.

The substantial value of the stolen wine and the methodical approach taken by Kubola—using a wheelie bin and pedicab—underline the planning behind such burglaries. The City of London Police’s prompt action in identifying and apprehending Kubola demonstrates their commitment to protecting London’s dining establishments from costly thefts. The sentencing in September will provide a clearer picture of the legal consequences Kubola faces for these offences.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the earliest known publication date being 26 July 2025. No evidence of recycled or republished content was found. The report is based on a press release from the City of London Police, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative includes updated data and is not recycled from older material.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quotes from Detective Constable Marcus Fairclough and Andrew Walker are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and accuracy issues in the past. The report is also supported by a press release from the City of London Police, enhancing its credibility.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including the Standard and Sky News. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a minor concern. The language and tone are consistent with UK English and typical news reporting. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim was noted. The tone is appropriately dramatic for a crime report.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is recent, based on a press release, and corroborated by multiple reputable sources. The quotes are unique, and the claims are plausible. Minor concerns include the Daily Mail’s past issues with sensationalism and the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets.