TWO men who made off without paying for fuel and gin from an Irvinestown Filling Station have been given suspended sentences.
Patrick McDonagh (31) of Sallys Wood Lisnaskea appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court via videolink charged with stealing a bottle of Copeland Gin to the total value of £29.99 from McAleers Spar, Irvinestown on July 13th 2017.
His co-accused, Michael Maughan (26) of Brownhill Meadows, Irvinestown also appeared charged with Making Off without Paying with fuel to the value of £5 from McAleer’s Spar. He was also charged with driving without insurance, and being an unaccompanied ‘L’ driver.
Both men entered guilty pleas at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The court heard that on July 13th, police were called to McAleers Spar, Irvinestown after receiving a report that two men had taken items and attempted not to pay. While the gin was being stolen, Maughan put £5 petrol into his car and made off without paying.
Defence Counsel Tommy Owens who was representing Maughan told the court that the defendant initially thought the other person was going to pay for the fuel.
It then emerged that Maughan was driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver, and was not covered by his insurance.
McDonagh also faced a separate charge of stealing various grocery items such as sausages and bacon to the value of £9.90 from McBride’s Spar, Enniskillen, and assaulting Police.
The court heard that on August 3rd, a male wearing a red hoody jumped out in front of a a car. The Police later found McDonagh around the Cherrymount roundabout area with a red hoody. He was arrested on suspicion of stealing the items and gave a no comment interview.
He then became aggressive in the questioning room and threatened to headbutt a constable.
District Judge Des Perry, handed McDonagh five months prison sentence, suspended for 18months.
He also handed Maughan a one month sentence, suspended for 18months, and disqualified him from driving for a month. He was also fined £200.
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