A man who stole a basket full of alcohol valued at almost £200 has been sentenced to four months in prison.
Court heard the offences had “contributed to a breach” of the 34-year-old’s licence and were committed by the defendant “having not long been out of custody”.
David Patrick Wilson, of Juniper Park in Dunmurry, pleaded guilty to theft, using a vehicle without insurance, driving whilst disqualified and possession of Class B at Newry Magistrates’ on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on July 21, at 3.20pm, a male was observed leaving SuperValu in Dromore with a basket filled with £196.48 worth of alcohol.
The male was observed getting into a Vauxhall Astra and leaving in the direction of Banbridge.
The following day, police collected CCTV and checks of the vehicle revealed it to belong to this defendant with him being identified as the person on footage.
It was confirmed that Wilson was also a disqualified driver and police then attempted to make an arrest.
On September 2, the defendant handed himself into Musgrave Police Station. He was arrested and during a search herbal cannabis was found concealed on his person.
Defence counsel stated: “He has a very poor record for driving offences. This was very foolish having not long been out of custody.
“This has contributed to a breach of his licence but I would ask that he is given credit for the mature attitude he has shown towards this.”
District Judge Eamonn King sentenced the defendant to four months in prison. He was additionally handed a three month period suspended for two years and was ordered to pay a fine of £150, along with the offender’s levy of £15
