A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been fined £200 for stealing a bottle of alcohol from an Enniskillen off-licence, prompting the judge to observe that it had turned into “expensive bottle of Fat Frog”.

Sean Michael Drumm, of Derryaghna, Letterbreen, pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol to the total value of £5 belonging to Lough Inn Public House and Off-Sales on September 27, 2017.

Drumm appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for sentencing via videolink from Hydebank Young Offenders Centre.

The court heard that police received a report that the defendant had left the premises without paying for a bottle of Fat Frog.

Upon entering the off-licence, Drumm had been told he was barred. As he went to leave, he took a bottle of the cocktail with him.

The bottle of alcohol was subsequently retrieved, the court heard.

During interview, the teenager answered no comment to all questions.

Defending counsel, Stephen Fitzpatrick, told the court that, on this occasion, his client had entered the off-licence with the intention of purchasing the alcohol.

However, the barrister said that, when Drumm had been told he was barred, he went into the fridge “in a temper” and the bottle allegedly “fell into his lap”.

Mr. Fitzpatrick told the court that, rather than return it, the defendant walked out.

In mitigation, the barrister told the court that Drumm had entered an early guilty plea and there was a lack of sophistication and premeditation to the offence.

He added that the defendant had taken some steps to address his issues.

District judge, Michael Ranaghan, told the court that, despite the defendant’s previous record, the theft did not cross the custodial threshold.

The judge fined the teenager £200 and ordered him to pay a £15 offender levy, adding: “It’s turned into an expensive bottle of Fat Frog.”