He’s bagged ‘imself an ice mini-scooper

In 1969, a gang of English ne’er-do-wells hijacked an armoured car full of gold in the Italian city of Turin. Now, as Valentine’s Day approaches, some chancer has pulled off his own, somewhat less lucrative, larceny – and all for love.

Rather than bringing the entire city to a halt before leading the authorities on a legendary car chase, our contemporary Caine merely swiped a truck while the driver was stocking up on Peperami and ciggies at the local supermarket.

With military precision he drove it up the road and left it with engine running and cargo rifled. Our Lothario’s loot? Diamonds, perhaps, or rare unguents from the Orient? Luxurious cashmere and Tahitian black pearls? Cornettos?

You’ve got it, haven’t you? Yes, the Piedmont Pimpernel spirited away 13 cases of the first batch of Cornetto Love Potions, destined for the UK. The Diary can picture the scene on February 14: “My love, you have melted my heart. Take these as a small token of my passion.”

“And you, my sweet, have left melted Cornettos all over the lino. Take this mop as a token of my ire.”