Crack cocaine addict stole from two Kildare shops in two days
The defendant originally came from Latvia and fell victim to drug abuse in Ireland
A man who was said to have a crack cocaine addiction issues stole from two shops in Naas.
Before Naas District Court was Igors Belinskis, 34, whose address was given as Kerdifftown House, Naas, was prosecuted for staking a jacket and shirt from the Freesoul outlet at North Main Street, Naas, on April 11 as well as taking a bracelet from Anderson Jewellers, South Main Street, Naas the day before.
Sgt Mary Meade said that he left without paying for the clothing, valued at €178, which was recovered after he was stopped outside.
The court was told the defendant had a foil lined bag, sometimes used to evade alarm systems in retail stores, on April 11 in the Freesoul shop.
Sgt Meade said that the bracelet, worth €150, was not recovered.
Sgt Meade added the defendant has ten previous convictions including two under the Theft Act.
The court also heard the man had originally come from Latvia and had fallen victim to drug abuse in Ireland.
The court also heard he had been in custody for three weeks.
Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed two consecutive terms of four months and three months and backdated the start of the sentence to April 17.
The judge advised the defendant, who was accompanied by a prison officer, not to throw away his life.
Noting that the man had not taken drugs in prison, he said this demonstrated he can stay off drugs outside prison, adding “I know it’s not easy.”