Glen Stronge
SERIAL offender Graham Stronge has been jailed after he tipped police off about a stash of stolen items he claimed his killer brother had bought.
The 34-year-old from Main Street in Tempo, admitted he played his part in handling the stolen goods which they bought from a man “who rang and offered the items”.
Stronge, who has a history of drug abuse, was jailed for three months for the offence.
Outlining the background of the case, a prosecutor stated that on April 27, 2013, police received a report that an Ifor Williams trailer and a Yanmar mini digger had been taken from an Irvinestown Road property.
The following day the police received another report that a motor vehicle had been taken from the same place.
At around 3am the following morning, police got a report of a domestic incident in Clabby. When they arrived at the property the officers found the items that had been stolen were at this address. They were taken by police.
Stronge’s co-accused, his brother Glen, who was jailed for killing 27-year-old Colin Foy in Fivemiletown in 2001, was arrested and during interview he said he and his brother had been contacted by another person two days earlier offering these items.
They arranged to meet on the Saturday at an address in Enniskillen to look at the items.
They claimed that when they arrived at the property they were told to wait around the corner and when they returned the digger was on the back of the vehicle and driven away.
He paid £800 for the items.
Glen also claimed that the man had told them a vehicle, a Nissan Terrano, was for sale and Glen said he wanted it for parts.
On April 27, just before midnight the defendant claimed a man went to his home and offered scrap metal for sale. An amount of £150 was given at the time.
Then, on the Sunday the pair went to get the car and the trailer. A short time later this defendant, Graham, was arrested for these offences.
Graham Stronge gave the same account as that of his brother and all the items were returned to the victim.
Defence solicitor Conor Sally explained that his client had reported a domestic incident and that when police arrived he told them that the items were stolen by his brother.
“This came to the attention of police they day after the items were taken and he explained to police that he was contacted and offered them and he then passed the phone to his brother,” he added.
“He then went with his brother to get the items and on that basis he had his role to play. It was him who reported this incident to police and he made full admission that he gave assistance to his brother. The vehicles were returned immediately.
District Judge Nigel Broderick queried why it had taken two years for it to come to court, however a prosecutor handed over a copy of the attempted services that dated from earlier this year.
“The circumstances were unusual in that you reported this to police and you will get credit for that. You have a lengthy record,” Judge Broderick said.
He added that taking all matters into consideration he would sentence him to three months in prison.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere