A youth has been jailed for a year for the “reprehensible” and “nasty” theft of €5,200 from an elderly man.
Arthur Stokes (18) was one of three men who convinced the now 81-year-old victim that his roof was leaking and that it would cost thousands of euro to fix it. He was caught in the victim’s house after the gang returned to extort more money.
Judge Martin Nolan called it a “nasty and underhand offence” which exploited the fears of an elderly man. However, he noted that Stokes was under the influence of one of the other men involved and never asked for any money himself.
The judge imposed a three-year sentence and suspended all but one year. He also ordered that Stokes undergo 18 months' post-release Probation Service supervision.
Pleaded guilty
Stokes, of Woodford Heights, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft and trespass at James Sheedy's home in Ballyfermot on October 8th, 2012. He has two previous convictions for assault and possession of a knife and was on bail at the time of the theft offence.
He was arrested when the front door of Mr Sheedy’s house was kicked open by gardaí. A neighbour of Mr Sheedy’s had alerted gardaí.
Defence counsel Oisín Clarke said Stokes is recently married and his wife is expecting a child. He said he was led astray by one of the men he was with and was also drinking and taking drugs at the time. He said all the money had been returned and asked the judge to "give Mr Stokes a chance".
Leaking
Garda Jason Miley told prosecuting counsel Fiona Murphy that Mr Sheedy had lived alone at the address since the death of his wife in 1997. On October 8th, 2012, a man called and told Mr Sheedy his roof was leaking and asked if he could have a look at it. The man told Mr Sheedy the pipes were leaking and that it would cost €1,200 to fix them. At this point the accused and another man came to the house.
Mr Sheedy handed over the €1,200 but was told it would cost another €2,000 to fix. Mr Sheedy gave them the additional money. They then said they needed more money. Mr Sheedy was followed to the bank and another €1,700 was handed over.