Vodka thief given ’one shot’ to address addiction or face jail - Courts News Ireland

A thief with 140 previous convictions, who stole a bottle of vodka from Tesco days after being released from prison, has been given what a judge described as “one shot” to address his alcohol addiction rather than being sent back to jail. At a bail hearing, John English (48), with no fixed abode, entered a plea of guilty to stealing a

A thief with 140 previous convictions, who stole a bottle of vodka from Tesco days after being released from prison, has been given what a judge described as “one shot” to address his alcohol addiction rather than being sent back to jail.

At a bail hearing, John English (48), with no fixed abode, entered a plea of guilty to stealing a bottle of Smirnoff vodka valued at €25 from Tesco, Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin on March 24 last.

Garda Barry Duff told Dún Laoghaire District Court that the offence was committed just days after the defendant had been released from Midlands Prison, where he had served a 10-week sentence.

The court heard that English has 140 previous convictions for offences including public order, theft and assault.

Defence counsel Silvia-Maria Crowley BL told judge Anne Watkin her client has a long history of addiction, including heroin and crack cocaine, as well as misuse of tablets in the past. He had been on methadone but has been off it for approximately 18 months, and alcohol is his only remaining addiction.

Ms Crowley added that English admitted the theft at the scene straight away.

Counsel said he has been working with key workers from the Ana Liffey Drug Project and they are currently trying to get him into residential treatment.

Judge Anne Watkin said she was prepared to give English “one shot”, saying sending him away for another stint in prison would not achieve anything.

She said there was no point holding English in custody and that he needs help with his alcohol addiction. He was remanded on bail on his own bond of €500 with strict conditions.

As part of the bail terms, he must sign on daily at Pearse Street Garda Station between 9am and 9pm, engage with the Probation Service and take up residential treatment as soon as possible.

Judge Watkin warned English that if he breaches any of the conditions, he will be sentenced to jail. The case was adjourned to September 28 for a probation report.