PERFUME THIEF

A 44-year-old man who stole perfume to the value of €780 from Cara Pharmacy in the Quayside Shopping was sentenced to six months in jail.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said the man, from Georgia, who had no English and spoke through an interpreter, had a ‘mysterious’ background and was unsure what his circumstances were.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne told the court that on November 1st last the defendant was stopped driving a car on Wine St and gardaí subsequently discovered in the boot a foil lined gift plastic bags and a shoulder bag which was also foil lined to conceal security tags. Gardaí also discovered jackets with pockets cut out to aid theft.

The defendant was brought to Ballymote Garda Station where it was later understood he was a suspect in relation to steal- ing eight bottles of perfumes to the value of €780 at Cara Pharmacy on October 9 th. The court heard the defendant had gone into the pharmacy and placed the perfume in the pockets of his jacket and left.

Judge Kilrane asked if he was legally in the stage and he said he came to the state as a refugee. Defending solicitor Eddie Henry said he had no funds on him at present to pay compensation but that he would be able to obtain it in four weeks’ time.

The judge said that he won’t be going down that road and asked where he was living. The defendant said he was living in Dublin’s East Wall in a rented house. When asked what the source of his income was he said he picked winkles.

“This man is a puzzle to understand. He first alleged he is a refugee, yet he is living in rented accommodation in Dublin. He’s not receiving social welfare and says he picks shells.

“In any event he travelled to Sligo to steal armed with a bag that is foil lined to prevent detection from security apparatus. He stole a considerable amount of goods and was driving also. “He was using his vehicle to commit crime.

“This was premeditated the nature of this. The entire status is strange. He says he’s picking shells and says he will come up with compensation but has no income, there are many things I’m not happy about. He came to Sligo to steal,” the judge added. He convicted Zharzholiani on each charge and sentenced him to six months in prison.

“Because he was driving in the course of a criminal act, I’m disqualifying him from driving for three years,” Judge Kilrane added.