Robbed purse of pal’s mum

A 19-year-old man who robbed his friend’s mother’s purse as she was giving him a lift has been order to bring compensation to court if he wants to avoid prison.

Brandon Smith of New Caltragh, Sligo pleaded guilty to stealing Ms Philomena Quinn’s purse containing £20 Sterling in Sligo on December 19th 2016.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne said that Ms Quinn reported her purse stolen at Sligo Garda Station the same day.

Her purse was valued at £20 and also contained £20 in cash and her Ulster Bank ATM card.

Garda enquiries led them to a bookmakers where ¤ 180 was used on Ms Quinn’s card.

Her bank had since compensated her, the court heard.

The inspector said Smith had taken the purse from Ms Quinn earlier that day as he was doing a course with her son.

“Not a very nice offence,” admitted Mr Gerard McGovern, Smith’s defence solicitor.

He said Smith regretted the “spur of the moment” act and had come to court with £20 for the purse.

“The other money will be in court if you put the case back,” he added.

Mr McGovern said Smith was the father of a 9-month-old baby and was doing a FAS course.

Inspector Kilcoyne said Smith had no previous convictions.

Smith agreed in the witness box with his solicitor that it was a “nasty offence” and said he was prepared to come back and pay the rest.

Judge Kilrane said it was “appalling that he was receiving a lift from this good lady and he steals her purse.”

“It’s difficult to envisage a more nasty and mean crime. Do you have any concept of what you did?” he said to Smith.

“I just wasn’t thinking at all,” replied Smith.

“You were thinking - thinking of stealing,” said the judge.

He asked the defendant if he had a problem with gambling to which he replied ‘No’.

“Why shouldn’t he go to prison? This signifies his character, or rather his lack of character,” Judge Kilrane said to Mr McGovern.

“He is really remorseful. Maybe he has seen the light of day. He was gambling with his future. I would ask you not to send a man of his age to jail,” said Mr McGovern.

Judge Kilrane asked Smith if he had “gone back to the victim and asked her on bended knee for forgiveness.”

“I told the Garda I was really sorry and he went up and said it to her,” replied Smith.

Judge Kilrane said “you come in July with a ¤ 20 note and expect this to work?”

He ordered Smith to bring ¤ 180 back to court or he was going to prison and remanded the case to 27th of July.