Purse thief (20) avoids criminal conviction

A 20-year-old man who robbed his friend’s mother’s purse as she was giving him a lift has escaped a criminal conviction.

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

His case was adjourned for a year for monitoring of his behaviour.

Mr Gerard McGovern, defence solicitor, told Judge Kilrane that Smith hadn’t been in trouble since.

Smith had ¤200 compensation in court which Judge Kilrane ordered to be donated to Crumlin Children’s Hospital Fund.

He then applied the Probation Act.