Made gain by deception from Portlaoise shop

A man admitted making gain by deception from a shop in Portlaoise. 

Poca Munteanu, 23, with an address at 63 Manor Street, Waterford was accused of the offences at Campus Spar, Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise on December 6 last year. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused and an accomplice went into the shop and twice ordered €100 worth of Playsafe credit. 

“His accomplice took photos of the playsafe receipt,” said Sgt Kirby. 

“He left the premises without taking the receipt or paying,” he explained. 

From the details on the photo, a total of €200 credit was used, explained Sgt Kirby, who said the defendant had 11 previous convictions.  

“The shop was at a loss of €200,” he said. 

Judge Andrew Cody was told the Playsafe receipt is similar to a debit or credit card and is used to purchase items online. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was a 23 year-old Romanian national. 

“There was an accomplice. While this accused was distracting the teller it was the other person who took the picture,” she said. 

She claimed her client had owed a debt to the accomplice but the man wouldn’t take it and instead wanted her client to accompany him to the shop.

“I have the €200 to compensate the injured party,” she said.  

Judge Andrew Cody convicted the accused and sentenced him to four months which he suspended for three years.