Man jailed for fraud after hiring videos

December 1984

A man who hired out five video tapes from an Enniscorthy shop using a false name was given a one-year prison sentence when he appeared at Wexford Circuit Court on Friday.

[Name witheld], of Liam Mellows Park in Wexford, admitted obtaining the tapes by fale pretences from a video rental library at Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, on July 1 last year.

The court heard that the defendant used a false name to join the video library and hire out video tapes, which had a total value of £740. The videos were later found when Gardaí were searching the defendant’s home by way of search warrant as they investigated the drugs scene in Wexford.

Judge Sheridan was also told that [defendant] had a number of previous convictions. These included ones for fraud offences where he cashed cheques made out to other people. Other convictions were for public order and motoring offences.

Mr Patrick McCarty, B.L., defending, said [defendant] had ‘a chequered history’ but he has now seen the error of his ways and was hoping for the mercy of the court.

Judge Sheridan said he could show no mercy. The value of five video tapes is significant, he pointed out, and [defendant] also had a prior record that was ‘nothing to be proud of ’.

He imposed a one-year prison sentence and told [defendant] it was unfortunate he would be away from his home and family for Christmas as he would be in jail instead, but he had brought it on himself.