Lurgan man given suspended sentence for Buckfast theft – Armagh I

Craigavon ​​Courthouse

A Lurgan man has been given a suspended sentence for stealing a bottle of Buckfast from a SPAR store.

Shea Reynolds (29), of Ennis Close, appeared before Craigavon ​​Local Court on Friday via videolink from Maghaberry charged with theft and attempted theft.

At the beginning of the hearing, the charges were read to him and he was asked whether he wanted to appear in court or have the offenses tried in the district court.

He chose the district court and pleaded guilty to the charges.

The prosecution subsequently told the court that police attended a SPAR in Lurgan on January 18 this year following reports of a theft on January 13.

They were shown CCTV footage showing the defendant putting a bottle of Buckfast into a jacket pocket.

He then brought other alcohol to the cash register, but did not pay for the Buckfast.

The defendant later returned with another man, again took a bottle of Buckfast and put it in his jacket. He then took wine and put it in his trousers before attempting to leave the shop.

When the staff confronted him, he took the items out and explained that he had no money to pay for them.

After the facts were laid out, a defence lawyer quipped: “£9.29 for a bottle of Buckfast could in itself be considered robbery.”

He added that the defendant had a very poor childhood, but admitted: “No excuse, he is a big boy now and should look after himself.”

District Judge Ranaghan imposed a suspended sentence of three months on both counts, suspended for a period of twelve months.

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