Thief ‘frightened’ by his crimes
A LITHUANIAN national convicted of stealing petrol from two service stations in Laois was last week given a chance by the district court in Portlaoise, with Judge Catherine Staines applying the probation act as she remarked the defendant was a hard working young man with no previous convictions.
Valdas Anusevicius, with an address listed at 10 College Farm Heights, Kildare, faced two charges of theft.
Inspector Martin Harrington gave evidence that Anusevicius left the Ballybrittas Service Station on December 3 last year, without paying for petrol worth €94.
Later that same day, he put €80’s worth of petrol into his car at Downey’s Service Station, Dublin Road, Portlaoise. He paid €60 and left with €20 outstanding.
The inspector told the court that the defendant had since paid full compensation to the garages.
Defence for Anusevicius said that her client, a 26-year-old Lithuanian national who has been living in Ireland for ten years, had experienced financial difficulties.
He owed money on a number of loans, including a €10,000 loan from his own mother and a loan from the credit union. Defence said that Anusevicius had wasted the money he received and as he had substantial debts he had committed the thefts.
“He’s extremely sorry for what’s happened and apologises,” said defence. “He’s been frightened by the experience and he won’t trouble the court again.”
Judge Staines said these were serious matters, but she noted that he had no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty and had paid full compensation.
“You appear to be a hard-working young man, so I’ll give you an opportunity today, but this is your one opportunity,” the judge warned him.
Judge Staines applied the probation act.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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