An Armagh man with 70 convictions has been spared prison time by a court after being told “it is only a matter of time before you are in custody again”.
Gary Clarkin, Corbins Court, pleaded guilty to theft at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The court heard how the 27-year-old defendant, along with another male, entered Boots Chemist at Scotch Street in Armagh just before noon on November 4, last year.
While his companion went to the desk to collect a prescription, Clarkin lifted two bottles of aftershave before leaving the store.
The defendant was identified by an officer who recognised him using CCTV footage.
It was revealed that the goods stolen were valued at £82.
Deputy District Judge Des Perry told him: “You are an extremely dishonest young man, with 69, now 70 convictions, to your name.”
And he added: “It is only a matter of time before you are in custody again but not today.”
Clarkin was sentenced to three months, suspended for 18 months.
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