Dutch athlete Erik de Bruin, husband of Olympic swimmer Michelle Smith, has escaped a criminal conviction for shoplifting in Kilkenny.
The 40-year-old admitted stealing vitamin tablets and chicken breasts from the city's Dunnes Stores, when he appeared at Kilkenny District Court today.
But he was given the benefit of the Probation Act, after his solicitor said he was getting medical treatment for stress and had no previous convictions.
The former Olympic athlete, who got a four-year sporting ban for taking performance enhancing drugs, pleaded guilty to stealing Multibionta vitamin tablets, Seven Seas cod liver oil and a container of chicken breast fillets, worth a total of €22.59.
He lives with his wife and two children, aged one and three, at Kellsgrange House in Kells, Co Kilkenny.
Wearing a charcoal grey jacket, tartan scarf and denim jeans, he sat alone in the court's public gallery until his name was called shortly after 3 p.m.
Inspector Mick Nevin said the former athlete was apprehended outside Dunnes Stores last October 25th, after concealing the stolen items in his jacket. He was arrested and brought to Kilkenny garda station.
Solicitor Mr Michael Lanigan said De Bruin was now a full-time carer for his children, as well as doing some freelance writing.
He was shopping for the family's weekly groceries and, although he paid for a trolley load of goods, he admitted stealing the three items involved. He became very distressed when he was apprehended.
Submitting a letter from de Bruin's GP, the solicitor said he had been getting treatment for a stress-related illness for the past few months. Stressing that De Bruin pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the solicitor asked that his previous good record, good character and standing as a family man be taken into account.
Judge William Harnett dealt with the case under the Probation Act, with no conviction recorded.