Jacket thief apologises to old friend

Chris Donegan • Published 2 Feb 2012 16:30

A 32-YEAR-OLD man who stole a £50 jacket from Walkers Clothing in Irvinestown made a personal apology in court to the proprietor, a friend whom he has known since school.

Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday that Brian Cassidy, Sallys Wood, Irvinestown, had been suffering from a number of medical difficulties over a long period of time.

A doctor's report detailed that at the time of the theft, Cassidy was on medication which could potentially have had adverse affects on his cognitive abilities, behaviour and judgement.

On November 1 last year police were called to Walkers Clothing regarding the theft of the jacket.

CCTV footage was provided which showed the defendant approaching the premises and leaving with the jacket in his possession.

When interviewed by police Cassidy made a full admission to stealing the jacket.

He told officers he had gone out to buy cigarettes for his partner and when he was passing the shop, he had noticed the jacket, believed his girlfriend would like it and took it home to show her.

The court was told Cassidy had already apologised to the shop owner and that the jacket had been recovered and deemed fit for sale.

Defence barrister, Heather Philips said the case involved an "unusual set of circumstances".

"The injured party and the defendant have been friends since school," she told the court.

Miss Philips said it was Cassidy's partner who had reported the theft immediately, adding that the proprietor had not wanted the matter to proceed any further.

"He understands Mr Cassidy's difficulties and understands how these challenges have presented themselves throughout his life," she said, "He felt it would be better dealt with without the court process."

District Judge Mervyn Bates told Cassidy he was a young man who "doesn't have his sorrows to seek".

After he was bound over to keep the peace for 18 months in the sum of £150, Cassidy made his apology: "I would like to apologise to Gary, I have known him a long time and I'm very sorry," he said.

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