Enniskillen Court House RMG10
A 30-YEAR-OLD man who snatched £140 out of the hands of another man in what a judge called a “nasty offence” has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Martin Ward, of Lackaboy View, Moneynoe Glebe, Enniskillen, previously admitted stealing cash to the value of £140 or thereabouts belonging to Jonathan Browne on April 16th this year.
At his sentencing at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday, the court heard that on the date in question the defendant was one of two males who approached Mr Browne outside a garage in Maguiresbridge, offering to sell him tobacco and tools.
The injured party agreed and went to the cash which Ward then snatched from the hand of his victim and refused to give it back. Mr Browne was told to go to an address at Brookeborough to collect the items but when he arrived there was no sign of anyone. He had previously told Ward that he had made a note of his car registration number for police but was warned that he would “end up in a body bag if he did”.
A car matching the description of that being used by the defendant was subsequently identified by police parked outside a bar in Enniskillen on foot of a description. Ward was found inside the premises and arrested for theft. Ward made a full “no comment” interview to police while the court heard that the money had not been retrieved.
His solicitor, Myles McManus, told last month’s initial court hearing that the father-of-six thought he had done a deal with the injured party. He said that his client had “a relatively poor record” but would return the funds that were stolen.
District Judge Nigel Broderick had ordered Ward to return to court this week with the full amount of £140 and warned that if he failed to do so he would face “severe consequences”.
The judge imposed a three month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He also ordered that the compensation be paid to Mr Browne.
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