Couple guilty of killing man in Rolex robbery

A couple have been convicted of killing a man they assaulted and left for dead after robbing him of his Rolex watch and jewellery.

Ricardo Maragliano, 34, was found dead in his flat on Thorneycroft Lane, Wolverhampton, on 30 May 2023 having suffered cuts, bruises and other injuries, West Midlands Police said.

Ovidiu Gurita, 39, was found guilty of murder and Vasilica Bornescu, 34, guilty of manslaughter at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday.

Det Insp Ade George said the couple "callously plotted" the targeted attack on Mr Maragliano, which resulted in his "tragic death".

The couple, both of Hunter Street, Wolverhampton, were also convicted of robbery.

Their convictions came after police discovered the couple's fingerprints at the scene and they were later found to have sold the jewellery and watch before buying a car.

Phone records, text messages and voice notes revealed the pair talking about drugging and robbing Mr Maragliano, West Midlands Police said.

The cause of his death remained inconclusive, the force added, but the jury heard he suffered a "compression to his neck".

Gurita and Bornescu are due to be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday.

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