Man gets almost two years in prison for robberies in Newbridge and Naas

A Newbridge man  was sentenced to 22 months in prison at Naas District Court today.

The accused was charged with theft at Phone Mender, Cutlery Road, Newbridge, on March 22, 2016. He was  also charged with failing to appear at Naas Court on April 21, 2016. He was charged with theft at 51 South Main St, Naas,  and theft at Debenhams, Whitewater, Newbridge, on March 30, 2016.

Inspector Mel Smyth outlined how at 51, South Main St, the accused is understood to have carried out a burglary.  The court heard how the accused jumped over the counter and 'took cash from the till.'

Inspector Smyth told the court how at Cutlery Road, Newbridge, on March 22, 2016, the accused stole a Samsung Galaxy 5 phone to the value of €400. The court heard how there was CCTV footage of the accused jumping over the counter. He pleaded guilty to the offence.

On March 30, 2016, at Debenhams, Newbridge, the accused was witnessed removing packaging from three bottles of aftershave and then put them in a rucksack. Also evidence was heard that the accused took two watches and placed them in a rucksack before leaving the store.

Defence Solicitor Tim Kennelly argued that being in custody has had a 'sobering effect'. The court heard how the accused has been in custody since  May 20, 2016.

Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered that failing to appear at Naas Court was taken into consideration, theft at Debenhams was taken into consideration while he was convicted for 11 months for the theft of the Samsung phone and 11 months for the theft from 51 South Main St, Naas.