A 21-year-old man who stole a mobile phone from the bag of a woman in a Castlebar nightclub was convicted of theft at Castlebar District Court this week.
James Laurence, 55 Rockvale, Castlebar was observed by security staff in Mantra nightclub take a handbag belonging to Ms Molly O’Connor on April 4. The defendant took a mobile from the bag and then placed the bag under a table. Gardaí were called and the phone was found in Laurence’s possession.
Aidan Crowley who represented Laurence, said that the 21-year-old married man who, along with his partner, is in receipt of over €350 social welfare a week, has no previous convictions and committed the theft after he had consumed alcohol.
Judge Mary Devins said that it was a “low-life crime” and said that people who commit such a crime should not be allowed entry again into the nightclub. Judge Devins convicted and fined the defendant €200.
