A DERRYGONNELLY MAN who attempted to get into 14 cars parked in the multi-storey car park at Erneside Shopping Centre before getting into another car and rummaging through the glove box has been handed 12 months probation.
Brian Smith (19) from Rosnarick Close in Derrygonnelly admitted a charge of interfering with vehicles on October 9 last year and appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court this week where he was handed the probation order.
Around 9.40am on October 9 police were called to Erneside Shopping Centre by security staff who had detained a man who was seen attempting to break into a number of cars in the shopping centre car park.
The police were told that the security guard had seen the defendant trying the door handles of 14 cars which were parked on the ground floor of the car park.
The member of staff then saw the defendant get into the passenger seat of a red Suzuki Swift car and sit in the passenger seat.
When the security guard went closer he observed the defendant going through the glove box of the car.
The defendant then spotted the security guard and attempted to run away but the guard gave chase, caught him and detained him.
Police arrested him and took him to Enniskillen station. Officers also spoke to the owner of the Suzuki car who said nothing had been taken although a number of items had been thrown on the floor and around the inside of the car. The injured party suffered no loss during this incident.
Following a check of the rest of the cars in the car park no further damage was discovered.
The defendant gave a ‘no comment’ interview.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said there was ‘a number of issues in the defendant’s background and that he was assessed as ‘medium’ risk of reoffending by probation officers.
“Clearly the defendant’s actions give rise to some concerns. The pre-sentence report sets out the difficulties you have suffered in your life.”
The judge asked if the defendant consented to probation, which he did and was handed the 12 month order.
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