Teenager (14) charged with three counts of shoplifting

A probation report was ordered in the case of a fourteen-yearold boy who appeared before Gorey District Court last week on three shoplifting charges.

The court was cleared of members of the public for the case as the defendant cannot be identified due to his young age.

He pleaded guilty to: stealing three packets of Aptamil Comfort, four packets of Aptamil First, two packets of Spar Babycare Junior, and one tub of Sudocrem, totalling €149.48, from Eurospar, Bunclody, on September 7, 2016; stealing eight packets of Aptamil First milk, one packet of nappies and one reusable bag, totalling €114.40, from Aldi, Bunclody, on September 7, 2016; and stealing €30 worth of cold meats from Caulfield’s SuperValu, New Ross, at 3.30 p.m. on February 2, 2016.

His father was with him in court.

In the incident at Eurospar, Bunclody, he was challenged at the checkout area by a security guard and fled. CCTV showed him arriving at the store in a red car. No property was recovered. He was also seen failing to pay for the goods in Aldi, and leaving in a car. The items he took here weren’t recovered either. He had no previous convictions.

His legal representative said her client is in school, plays football, and hasn’t come to garda attention in recent times. She added that he apologised and knew it was a stupid thing to do. His parents are keeping a strict eye on him.

Judge Haughton put the matter back to September 6 for a probation report.