Woman told if she appears in Waterford court for begging again, she will be sent to prison
Waterford Courthouse
A Waterford judge has told a woman if she appears before him again for aggressive begging, he will send her to prison.
Constanta Rostas (26) of 58 Manor St, Waterford, was charged with four counts of theft and three counts of aggressive begging at Waterford District Court.
Ms Rostas received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for one count of theft from TK Max.
All other matters were taken into consideration.
In passing sentence, Judge Kevin Staunton said: “This aggressive begging has to stop. If she comes before me again on aggressive begging charges, I will send her to prison for each and every one.”
The court was told on the day of the theft, Ms Rostas entered TK Max with another person and took property, making no attempt to pay.
Ms Rostas was identified from CCTV, and no property was recovered.
The court was told that the defendant had eight previous convictions.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty told the court that it was his experience that crimes like these were committed “at the behest of another individual.” He said he had represented clients from the same ethnic group previously, and there was not usually any evidence or display of wealth.
“You would wonder where they put their wealth,” said Mr Delahunty.
He said the theft, in this case, was “opportunistic” as opposed to threatening or violent.
He also said that his client has two children and had told him she is pregnant and well along with her third.
Judge Staunton said that as she had pleaded guilty to a number of charges and in light of her pregnancy, he would not send her to prison.
Aggressive begging is an offence contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011.
It relates to begging in any place and involves harassment, intimidation, assault, threats or the obstruction of persons or vehicles.
A person found guilty of this offence may be fined or imprisoned for a term not exceeding one month or both.
