Former Naas shop worker gets 12 months in prison today

A young man  who was working at a Naas store while being caught for selling stolen property from the premises on the internet,  has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

The 27-year-old appeared at Naas District Court today, accompanied by his father.

Detective Garda Christine Brady outlined how on March 13 & 15, 2016, they became aware that a then employee at Argos, Monread, Naas, since suspended, was removing items from the shop including iphones and Samsung phones. Detective Brady told the court how the accused had put them up for sale on adverts.ie.

Evidence was heard how the accused met people around Naas town and sold on the items.

The court heard how the total loss to Argos was €4,832.84.

Detective Brady said that staff were aware items had gone missing and complaints were being made.

It is understood that a staff member saw runners advertised online, similar to the ones that had gone missing in the store, and was able to trace them back to the accused.

Additionally the accused was caught by Gardai in the possession of €30 worth of cannabis.

The court heard how the accused had no previous convictions.

Defence Solicitor Cairbre Finan outlined how the accused could refund €4850  today in court, available in a bank draft.

Full admissions were made, Mr Finan said. Defence outlined that 'significant reductions' were made to members of the public.

The court heard how the accused had a 'difficulty with cannabis' at the time and spent €60 per week at the time, on the drug.

Defence outlined that the accused has worked in retail and niteclubs in a bid to recover the money lost to Argos.

The court heard how there were 10 charges, nine for theft from Argos and one for possession of cannabis.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said : "There was serious deception and members of the public fell for it. He used the internet for fraudulent means."

For the theft of a 6sgold iphone, valued at over €600 on October 15, 2016, he was sentenced to nine months in prison.

The theft of a portable hard drive to the value of about €30 landed him three months in prison.

The remaining charges for thefts carried a €500 fine each totalling €3,500 with 18 months to pay, and being in possession of cannabis resulted in a €200 conviction with 18 months to pay.

In the event of appeal, he was ordered to pay €750 own bond, in cash.