A man will discover in a fortnight whether he will have to face jail for shoplifting a jar of coffee worth less than €3, it was revealed in the District Court this week (November 17 ).
Gordon Dowling (33 ), with an address at Grove House, Baylough, Athlone was in court to plead guilty to a single charge of “shoplifting by deception” from the Grove Shop in Baylough on October 26, according to Superintendent Aidan Glacken, but that he did so whilst on a suspended sentence on other matters.
“He had bought some items, but concealed some others worth about €2.60,” said the superintendent, who then told the court Dowling had 27 previous convictions.
Judge Eamon O’Brien said he didn’t have the full facts on the Section 99 [offending whilst on a suspended sentence] issue, and so decided to adjourn sentencing until December 1 to allow time to clarify this situation.
