Pay €6,000 or face two years in prison
FORMER CAR DEALER GIVEN 12 MONTHS TO PAY COMPENSATION
A NEW ROSS car dealer faces serving a twoyear prison sentence should he fail to pay €6000 in compensation by December 2017.
James Sidney, of 7 Woodlawn Grove, New Ross, was found guilty by a majority verdict on five charges of theft relating to the sale of cars by a jury at a previous sitting of Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Barry Hickson told the defendant that he took advantage of decent people who were induced because of his good reputation created by his father.
The New Ross businessman was found guilty of the theft of €8000, property of Thomas Dudek between September 10, 2014, and October 6, 2014, at Sidney’s Garage, Marshmeadows, New Ross. He was also found guilty of the theft of €17000, property of Paul Burke on August 20, 2014, at Sidney’s Garage; theft of €17,000, property of Thomas Dunphy, Jnr, between September 19, 2014, and September 30, 2014; theft of €3500, property of Robert Bartowski on September 15, at Sidney’s Garage, and theft of €7000, property of Bernard Brookwell, on September 26, 2014.
Prosecuting Counsel, Ms Sinead Gleeson, told the court the owners’ cars were sold, and money was generated, but they never received any money. Some, she said, were paid cheques but the cheques were not honoured. The court heard that Mr Sidney had gotten into trading difficulties following a flood at his premises. The defendant is still in negotiation with his insurance company regarding compensation. The defendant, who has no previous convictions, had hoped to pay back the complainants with the insurance money, but this has yet to materialise, said defence counsel Liam Stafford. The insurance claim is the subject of arbitration, which is due to take place next week.
Mr Stafford said that the 40-year-old defendant had already collected €5000 for the complainants. He has been offered a job in London as a stores manager with a construction company, Cilantro, which he is due to take up next Monday. He would be willing to pay €500 per month back towards compensation. He is the father of two children, aged eight and six.
Mr. Larry O’Brien gave evidence of having known James Sidney for about 30 years, having been employed for 20 years by his father. He was a very hard working, very loyal, very good family man, and very good to his staff, said Mr O’Brien. He was recognised as one of the leading dealerships in New Ross before the recession.
The court heard that Mr Sidney’s marriage had suffered as a result of the trial. His father passed away two weeks ago, following a long illness. Mr O’Brien said Mr Sidney had been living with his wheelchair-bound father and mother.
Taking everything into account, Judge Hickson said he would adjourn the case to next December when he would expect at least €6000 to have been paid. He said he would recommend a suspended sentence of two years on each count should the €6000 be paid.