Waterford man stole clothes four days after receiving a suspended sentence
The judge imposed another suspended sentence and decided not to trigger the original sentence. Stock Image.
A man stole €110 worth of clothes four days after receiving a suspended sentence, Waterford District Court has heard.
James Whelan (29) of The Square, Stradbally was given an eight month sentence, suspended for 12 months by Judge Kevin Staunton for the theft of the clothes from Next on November 9, 2024.
Sergeant John Phelan told the court that on that date, gardaí came across the defendant on John's Street.
On searching him, they found the goods.
The court was told that the defendant had 24 previous convictions, including for theft, drugs, criminal damage and road traffic offences.
This incident happened four days after receiving a suspended sentence.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty said his client was working through an addiction treatment programme.
He asked that the judge extend the original suspended sentence to this offence.
Mr Delahunty said his client is in a step-down programme, was completing a Community Employment Scheme and making progress.
He asked the judge not to “send him back to square one". Judge Staunton declined to extend the sentence but said he would suspend the sentence he was about to impose.
Judge Staunton imposed an eight month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
As the offence in question was a triggering offence, the judge put the matter of the original suspended sentence back to October for consideration.
At a sitting of the court this week, Judge Staunton decided not to trigger the suspended sentence.
Mr Delahunty pointed out in his submission that the judge had imposed a suspended sentence to allow his client to continue his progress.
Triggering this sentence would undo that, and Judge Staunton agreed.
