A SHOPLIFTER sentenced to eight months in jail had relapsed into drug addiction after his cousin was murdered in England, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Matthew Slate (38), of Carrowshee Park, Lisnaskea, pleaded guilty to stealing eight bottles of vodka, flowers and a basket to the value of £188.99 or thereabouts belonging to Lidl on July 2, 2017.

The court heard that, on July 2, staff at the Lidl store in Lisnaskea contacted the police to inform them that the defendant, who was barred from the premises, had stolen goods worth £188.99.

Officers attended the store and viewed CCTV footage of the incident. They recognised the defendant as the person in the footage.

Police attended Slate’s home address and cautioned him with the offence. None of the stolen items were recovered after a search of the property.

Defending solicitor, Tommy Owens, told the court that his client, who was unemployed, suffered from various physical and mental health issues.

The solicitor said Slate had previously battled a drug addiction, but had been free of substances prior to the incident.

However, Mr. Owens revealed that the defendant’s cousin in England had been “tragically murdered” earlier this year, leading him to relapse.

The solicitor told the court that his client had sold the stolen items to support his addiction.

In mitigation, Mr. Owens added that Slate, who was “very ashamed” of his actions, had been “clean” of drugs since July and was addressing his addiction.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that this offence had been committed just four months after the defendant had received a suspended sentence for a previous theft.

The judge imposed a total prison sentence of eight months and ordered Slate to pay a £25 offender levy.

He was later released on his own bail of £500, pending an appeal against the jail term.