A youth sentenced to eight months detention for dealing heroin from a bicycle was given an additional four months for possession of stolen goods when the judge learnt this offence was committed whilst on bail.
Jason Stephens (18 ) with an address in St Mel’s Terrace, Athlone was in court this week (July 7 ) to face sentence after pleading guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply, three counts of possession of cannabis, refusing to comply with a garda’s directions, and possession of stolen goods.
Inspector Nicholas Farrell told the court how the defendant had been observed on a bicycle by gardai on patrol in the Sarsfield Square area of Athlone on August 4 and that he “took off” when he saw the patrol car. The gardai saw Stephens throw something to the ground and when it was recovered and tested found it to be €200 worth of heroin.
On December 1 he was caught three times with small amounts of cannabis, on March 23 he attempted to use a stolen €60 dining voucher at Thyme restaurant in Custume Place, and on June 6 he refused a Garda order to go home after being found making a ruckus in an apartment block in Bonavalley whilst drunkenly seeking a party in the early hours.
In mitigation, his solicitor Tony McLynn said Stephens had been “very co-operative and had given gardai his full assistance”.
In relation to the heroin, Mr McLynn suggested his client “was being directed by an older third party”.
“He was doing the running for someone older who was a bad influence on him,” he said.
“He was frank and forthcoming with the police officer, and his mother is keeping an eye on him now. He’s no longer mixing with this group”.
“Why is he selling heroin on the streets of Athlone?” asked Judge David Anderson.
“He has ties to someone older, someone known to the family,” said Mr McLynn.
“What’s the connection, Mr McLynn? I know people around Athlone and I don’t sell heroin for them,” asked the judge.
“In the absence of any explanation for selling heroin on the streets of Athlone, I sentence him to eight months detention”.
Judge Anderson then gave Stephens four months concurrent for the stolen voucher, but later amended this to a consecutive sentence when Inspector Farrell pointed out, and Mr McLynn conceded, that this had been commited whilst Stephens had been on bail for the heroin charge. Independent surety was set at €2,000.
