Michael Boyd, of the Diamond, Tempo, was sentenced at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday after previously appearing before the court in August. He was charged with the theft of food from Tesco and a bike belonging to a Tesco employee on August 26, 2014, and the theft of a bottle of wine from Asda on October 21 2014.  He was also charged with the theft of a bottle of vodka from Costcutters in Tempo on March 20 this year, and five bottles of vodka from the same shop on different dates from May 15 to May 28 this year. In addition, Boyd was charged with driving without insurance, drink driving and driving without a licence at Main Street, Derrygonnelly on January 6 this year. 

At his hearing in August, the court was heard that on August 26 last year Boyd had entered Tesco with an empty Asda bag and put several items into it. He was apprehended by staff of the store when attempting to leave the shop and all items, valued at £35.50 were recovered. However, a member of staff later reported their bike had been stolen, and CCTV footage showed the defendant take the bike, worth £150, which was parked outside. When shown the footage, Boyd had no recollection of taking the bike as he had been intoxicated at the time. 

On March 20 this year police were called to Costcutter in Tempo, where the owner confirmed Boyd had hidden a 70cl bottle of vodka worth £13.79 under his clothes. Boyd admitted to taking the bottle, which was not fit for resale. Then, between May 15 and May 28 this year Boyd took vodka on five separate occasions from the same store, valuing £99.95 in total. 

The driving charges against Boyd related to an incident in Derrygonnelly when police on mobile patrol observed a black Vauxhall Corsa parked at the forecourt of the a Spar shop. Boyd got out of the car with another man, and opened the bonnet, explaining to police that the car had broken down.  The officers noted his breath smelled of alcohol, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. He failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. An evidential reading of 82mg was obtained at the station, where he admitted during interview to having no insurance or driving licence. 

At Monday’s sentencing District Judge Nigel Broderick said Boyd was “clearly someone who is struggling with severe alcohol addiction, which has given rise to these incidents.” He added that regardless of his addiction, Boyd could not continue to offend or he would go to jail.  Judge Broderick sentenced Boyd to a total of six months in prison, suspended for 12 months for the theft charges. For the motoring offences he disqualified him from driving for five years.