Man sentenced for series of retail thefts in Waterford city
The defendant was rendered homeless at the time due to heroin addiction.
A man appeared in Waterford District Court last week over a series of thefts at retail premises across the city.
Jamie Curry (30), of no fixed abode, was charged with a number of theft matters, before Judge Paula Murphy.
Included were thefts of groceries and alcohol from Aldi The Glen, thefts of cosmetics from Homesavers and the theft of a charity box from the counter at Centra at St. John's Park, which were not recovered.
His solicitor, Kenneth Cunningham, said that Curry was rendered homeless at the time due to heroin addiction.
“Heroin is a scourge to society and more importantly to its users,” Mr. Cunningham said to Judge Murphy.
The man has been in custody since January and has done “extremely well” with his detoxification, according to Mr. Cunningham.
In mitigation, Mr. Cunningham said that the thefts were from retail premises, as opposed to from individuals. Therefore, the property stolen had no “sentimental value".
The offences were in the mid to low range, Mr. Cunningham added.
Curry has 11 previous convictions, including a conviction for threat to kill.
In terms of sentencing, Judge Murphy said she had “limited options”.
For the theft from Centra St John's Park, the man was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for a period of 18 months.
Other matters were taken into consideration.
