A Newry man has been handed a seven-and-a-half year sentence for a spate of serious offences, including robbery and burglary.
Shane Osborne, of Londa Crescent, was convicted on February 8, at Newry Crown Court, in relation to two robberies and two burglaries which occurred in the city between August 2022 and January 2023.
On December 8, 2022, the 34-year-old entered Max Gaming Casino on Margaret Square and stole five electronic cash out cards worth £1,000.
On January 3, 2023, Osborne robbed the 8 Till Late shop on Patrick Street of £70.
Again, on January 15, 2023 he robbed Max Gaming Casino of approximately £2,500 cash and on the same day he had on his possession a quantity of Class C drug, Diazepam.
Two days later, on January 17, he stole an Iphone XR, a Nintendo Switch, an Ipod, and a set of car keys from a property in the Violet Hill area of the city and on the same day he also stole a Honda Civic.
He was duly sentenced for his crime spree at Newry Crown Court earlier today and will serve three years in prison and four and a half years on licence.
Detective Constable Kirkwood, from Ardmore CID, said: “The robberies occurred at a convenience shop on Patrick Street and a casino in the town centre and the burglaries occurred at a residential dwelling and at commercial premises in the town centre.
“In one of the robberies Osborne, who was masked, used a large knife to threaten a female shop worker to hand over money which was clearly a terrifying ordeal for the woman.
“Whilst investigating these incidents we received a great deal of support and assistance from local people and businesses who gave statements and provided CCTV footage which was invaluable in securing the successful conviction and I would like to thank them all for their help.”
