Men stole alcohol from the same Dungiven shop twice in one day

Appearing at Limavady Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday was Conor Clarence (27) whose address on court documents was supplied as Drumachose Park in Limavady and Michael McDermott (27) whose address on court documents was supplied as Whitehill Park in Limavady who admitted stealing the alcohol on August 29.

The court was told that just before noon on the date in question two men entered a shop in Dungiven and lifted a bottle of vodka and one of peach schnapps, and that they left without paying.

At 4pm on the same day, the court heard both men entered the shop again and proceeded to steal the same alcohol.

CCTV was examined that both men were known to police.

Police went to an address and recovered two of the bottles, the court was told.

McDermott admitted lifting the alcohol and giving it to Clarence.

At interview, Clarence admitted the offences.

The court heard Clarence said he had no way to pay for the alcohol but, if he had of had money he might have paid.

A defence solicitor for Clarence told the court that his client was under no illusions as to where he stood.

He said the offence was a “one-off” and was “a bungled attempt to steal”.

District Judge Liam McNally said there was a certain amount of arrogance in that they returned to the same shop on the same day.

Defence solicitor for McDermott, Paddy McGurk, said his client had a lengthy record but not for dishonesty offences.

Both men were sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £16 in compensation each.