Man admits theft of woman’s bicycle at Kate’s Kitchen

A SLIGO man who stole a woman’s bicycle valued at €400 has been told to come up with €300 compensation or go to jail.

Lee Young, 40, from Geldof Drive, Cranmore, pleaded guilty to stealing a Carrera bicycle belonging to Rachel Dunbar from Kate’s Kitchen on July 24 last year.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that gardaí got a report that the bicycle was stolen at the rear of Kate’s Kitchen.

It had been located behind a padlocked gate and Lee Young was observed on the CCTV.

The defendant made full admissions when later questioned and later gave up the bicycle.

The defendant had 24 previous convictions that included theft burglary and forged prescriptions for drugs.

Defence solicitor Gerry McGovern said this offence went back to July last year.

The defendant was known to the court and the background to his offending was his addiction to various drugs. He was “out of his tree on various stuff” when the offence before the court happened. But he did make an admission when interviewed

The solicitor said: “What he was doing with the bike, I don’t

Kate’s Kitchen on Castle Street in Sligo.

know. It was taken from the centre of Sligo where he was seen on camera.

Judge Kilrane said the defendant had the bike for some time. The defendant agreed that he had done a “nasty thing”. He said he was on heroin at the time, but said he was “grand” now and could see a bit of light in front of him.

Alan Roberts with The Rules Of The Boreen.

He said he was attending a consultant in Dublin for his drug issues and was under medical attention in Sligo.

He said he was sorry and regretted what he did and that he had tried to make contact with the injured party.

Judge Kilrane said the victim was a young girl who was working while the defendant was “dossing on the dole”. She cycled in to work, and the defendant stole her bicycle. “Why should you not go to jail?” asked the judge.

He told the defendant to come up with €300 within two months or he would be jailed.

The judge told the defendant if he did not appear in court with the money a garda car would be sent to bring him in.