A BELFAST man beaten so significantly by paramilitaries that he might lose the usage of a hand has been jailed for burgling city centre retailers.
Gary McLaughlin focused Boots and House of Fraser earlier this 12 months to steal lots of of kilos value of clothes and fragrances.
The 27-year-old, beforehand of North Howard Walk, was sentenced to 4 months custody.
McLaughlin was convicted of housebreaking fees on the idea that he had beforehand been barred from coming into each retailers.
Belfast Magistrates Court heard he stole two perfume units valued at £188 from a department of Boots at Donegall Place on March 16. He carried out one other raid on the House of Fraser division retailer in Victoria Square on May 29.
Prosecutors stated employees detained him shortly after he stole a £92 check bottle of aftershave and a coat priced at £239.
“During interview he admitted taking the aftershave however couldn’t keep in mind taking the coat, however it was recovered from his particular person,” a Crown lawyer added.
Defence barrister Thomas Thibodeau disclosed that his shopper had been subjected to an assault by paramilitaries between the 2 incidents.
McLaughlin sustained fractured ribs and severed ligaments in that assault, the court docket heard.
“The severe damage to his hand (means) he might by no means have use of it once more,” counsel added.
Mr Thibodeau pressured each incidents concerned technical fees of housebreaking which have been totally accepted.
Imprisoning McLaughlin for the offences, District Judge Austin Kennedy ordered him to serve a complete of 4 months.
https://www.irishnews.com/information/northernirelandnews/2022/07/12/information/man_jailed_for_burgling_city_centre_retailers-2769480/
