A pair of recovering heroin addicts were given jail terms by Judge Mary Devins after they pleaded guilty to a series of thefts in Mayo on March 29 this year.
Aurther Abramov, 21 The Mall, Ongar Village, Blanchardrstown, Dublin 15, a refugee from the former Russian republic of Dagistan, was sentenced to six months in prison for the theft of two laptop computers from Ispace Multimedia, Bury Street, Ballina. Aleksamder Afanausser, Apartment 15, Seamount, Church Drive, Dalgany, Co Wicklow, a Lithuanian national, was sentenced to four months in prison for his part in the theft from Ispace and a separate sentence of one month for the theft of four bottles of aftershave from O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, Market Street, Swinford on the same date.
Giving the facts of the case Garda Gerry Lee told the court that on March 29 2008 at 2.30pm, both men entered Ispace Multimedia, Bury Street, Ballina, where Abramov spoke to the sales assistant and distracted him. While Abramov distracted the sales assistant Afanausser stole two laptop computers valued at €2,650, one of which was never recovered. The court was told that that Abramov is a Jewish refugee from Dagistan who had come to Ireland seven years ago to escape persecution from Islamic extremists in his home country and had been granted refugee status here. He had been a heroin addict for the past three years and the reason he stole was to feed his habit. However he has been clean for two months now and is receiving treatment to help him stay off drugs. Abramov has 13 previous convictions for theft and road traffic offences and is currently on bail awaiting a trial at Tralee District Court for theft. Judge Devins convicted and fined him €750 and sentenced him to six months in prison.
Afanausser also pleaded guilty to the same charge and to one of stealing €250 worth of aftershave from O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, Market Street, Swinford on the same date. The court was told that at 1.20pm he entered the pharmacy and stole four bottles of aftershave. Like Abramov, the court heard that Afanausser was a heroin addict who stole to feed his habit. He has also returned to Lithuania to have an implant put into his stomach to help him get over his habit and has to return every two months to get it replaced. Afanausser has eight previous convictions for theft. For the theft from Ispace Multimedia, Judge Devins convicted and fined him €750 and imposed a four-month sentence and for the theft from O’Donnell’s pharmacy she convicted and fined him €250 and imposed a one-month sentence to run concurrently.
