A young man stole a valuable phone from a city shop in order to pay off a gambling debt. “He had to pay it off or else,” his solicitor told Judge John King at Galway District Court.
Before Judge King was Martin Maughan (23 ), 11 Saint Mary’s Green, Clondalkin, Dublin who had 62 previous convictions and is currently serving a lengthy sentence on unrelated convictions.
The court heard Maughan stole an iPhone valued at €1,115 from a city shop. He was captured on CCTV and identified by Gardaí.
The defendant has numerous convictions for theft. He also has convictions for burglary, passing counterfeit notes, public order and drug offences.
He is currently serving sentences from Wexford, Waterford and Loughrea courts.
His solicitor pleaded that his client had a very difficult past and had gambling and alcohol issues. He stole the phone to pay off a debt and it was a case of “he had to pay, or else”.
He was doing well in prison and studying for his Leaving Cert and attending the gym.
“Is the debt still there when he gets out?” the Judge asked, and was told it was not.
Imposing a nine-month suspended sentence, Judge King said: “I’ll give him a chance. If he doesn’t take it he can go ahead and serve the nine months and let him be of no misapprehension that he will serve it if he comes before the courts again.”
