Suspended sentence for Easter egg thief
A ‘theft tourist’ from Dublin, who stole groceries worth £1,000 and Easter eggs worth almost £80 has been given a suspended sentence.
Bernard Joyce, 26, of Killshane, Dublin, entered guilty pleas to two counts of theft at Newry Magistrates’ Court.
On Saturday, April 12 police received a report from staff at Spar, Dromore Road, Banbridge that a theft of a quantity of items occurred at approximately 4.15pm.
A male and female had entered the store before leaving with items to the value of £78.68.
It was believed that these people had left in a silver vehicle and they provided the registration mark.
On Monday, May 5, police observed this vehicle travelling in the car park of Supervalu, Flush Place, Lurgan. Police spoke with the occupants and conducted a search of the vehicle, during which they located a significant number of suspected stolen items, many of which had tags still attached.
The total value of the stolen goods was estimated at £1,000. These included bottles of vodka, dishwasher tablets, razor blades, clothing items and other grocery items.
Police arrested the defendant at the scene on suspicion of theft of the items recovered from the vehicle. He was conveyed to Banbridge Custody Suite where he made full admissions.
The court was told that Joyce has no record in this jurisdiction.
District Judge Eamonn King asked where the car had gone.
“The car belonged to his mother,” said a defence representative. “I think she was driving it.”
It was pointed out that she was not charged in relation to the incident.
“He understands and it has been explained to him that this theft tourism… is treated very seriously by the courts. He states that it was a foolish enterprise and it happened on two occasions,” the defence added.
DJ King, sentencing, said: “Really, what should have happened is that when they were apprehended, this car should have been seized and compounded.
“[He was up] on two occasions, April 12, up from Dublin to steal Easter eggs… and on April 5 to steal groceries in the company of his mother.”
Joyce was given a six-month jail term, suspended for two years on each matter.