Stole¤ 359 electric toothbrush

A young man has been given a three month suspended prison sentence for stealing an electric toothbrush worth hundreds of Euro from Boots in Sligo.

19- year- old Michael Sweeney, of Robin Hood Road, Ballymount, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, appeared before Judge Kevin Kilrane accused of stealing a Philips Electric Toothbrush worth ¤ 359 from Boots pharmacy, Johnston Court, Sligo on July 23rd last year.

His solicitor Mr Mark Mullaney told the court that the toothbrush hadn’t been recovered.

He said the shopkeeper would have to be recompensed but Sweeney only received ¤ 100 a week.

Judge Kilrane asked Sweeney what he did with the toothbrush.

“I can’t remember Judge, it was a good while ago,” replied Sweeney.

The court heard the defendant had two previous convictions, one for theft and another for entering a building with intent.

Mr Mullaney said his client was a young man and ¤ 359 was a lot of money. “He tells me he’s getting married in the near future. These intending nuptials have been on his mind,” he added.

Judge Kilrane referred to Sweeney’s two previous convictions and said he had “got to be stopped in his tracks.”

He handed down a three month prison sentence to Sweeney, suspended on condition he not be convicted of any other crime for two years.

“This is a young man. He’s got to be stopped now in his campaign of larceny,” said Judge Kilrane, warning Sweeney that if he re- offended between now and then he would “go to prison.”