Community service for man found with stolen goods at home

Jake O’Brien (20), Lurgantarry, Lurgan, admitted that on September 18 last year he dishonestly received stolen goods, namely a yellow transformer, a claw hammer, a bag of nails and a drill mixer.

He was sentenced to 120 hours community service. The court heard that a burglary took place at a new build house and a number of tools were stolen. Acting on information police went to the defendant’s address but there was no response.

They gained access through an open window and found O’Brien in bed. The stolen items, which were valued at between £250 and £300, were on the property and they were returned to the owner.

When cautioned O’Brien said: “I’ll say nothing till I speak with my solicitor.”

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said that O’Brien accepted that when he was approached with these items and asked to purchase them he knew they were stolen.

He added that the pre-sentence report indicated the defendant regretted receiving the goods and was assessed as a medium risk of re-offending.