Man who robbed tourist in Waterford City ordered to complete community service
Waterford Courthouse
A man has been ordered to complete 100 hours of community service at Waterford District Court for robbing a tourist in Waterford City.
Judge John Cheatle imposed the sentence on Daniils Vilevko (24) of 79 Farran Park, Waterford, which was in lieu of six months in prison.
The case was heard at a previous sitting of Waterford District Court in July before Judge John Brennan.
At that time, the defendant pleaded guilty to robbery, theft and possession of drugs.
Judge Brennan ordered the defendant to pay compensation to the injured party and said that if the defendant’s probation report was positive, the court would order community service instead of prison.
At the October sitting, the court was told that €500 in compensation had been paid in July and that the probation report on file was positive.
There was a new matter before the court related to a broken window, but it predated Judge Brennan’s order.
Judge Cheatle said he would roll that matter into the existing matters.
All charges unrelated to the robbery and not previously dealt with were taken into consideration.
The court was told in July that gardaí had received a report from the American tourist that her phone had been stolen at 2am on November 29, 2024, on Colbeck Street.
The defendant had approached her and slapped her.
She had a scratch on her hand from when he took her phone, before running away.
The injured party’s partner had attempted to pursue her attacker, but they were able to give a description, and Mr Vilevko was arrested.
Solicitor Ken Cunningham in acting for Mr Vilevko, said that his client had been so drunk on the night, he did not remember the incident.
Following the robbery, he “did the honourable thing” and pleaded guilty.
The phone was recovered and so the injured party was not at a loss of it, the court was told.
On hearing the evidence, Judge Brennan said it was a “nasty incident” and a sad day for Waterford”.
But he was satisfied the incident did not reach the threshold for a custodial sentence.
