A man who threatened to spray an aerosol into the eyes of security staff at a supermarket has been given a one month jail term.
The offence, which qualifies as assault, was admitted by Joe Joyce, 13 Castleview, Moate when he came before the recent sitting of Mullingar District Court.
He and his wife were followed by the security officers at Dunnes Stores, Harbour Place after it was suspected they had shoplifted something.
As they went down Castle Street, Joyce turned around and, taking an aerosol can from his pocket said, “If you don’t stop following me, I’ll spray it into your f***ing eyes”.
The court heard that nothing had been taken and that the staff had made a mistake.
Mr Robert Marren said his client didn’t understand why he was being followed but he accepted that he had uttered the words and had put the officers in fear.
Joyce is currently serving a 24 month sentence and is not due for release until December 2011. He has 10 previous convictions for offences including threatening to kill, threatening behaviour, criminal damage, and theft.
Indicating that Joyce’s behaviour could not be allowed, Judge Patrick Mahon imposed a one month jail sentence which will be served at the same time as his current sentence.
