Young Laois man who stole ‘Kinder Bueno’ from shop has his case adjourned
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A YOUNG man who stole a Kinder Bueno bar from the same shop on four separate occasions had his case adjourned when it came before last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
With the ongoing dispute between free legal aid practitioners and the Department of Justice, Judge Susan Fay said that she should be happy to adjourn the case against the defendant until the issue is resolved between both parties.
The defendant, Lee Cullen (18), Heather Lane, Esker Hills, Portlaoise had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of Kinder Bueno bars totalling €7.58 on 9 March, the theft of another bar valued at €3.79 on 10 March and the theft of a similar bar, again valued at €3.79, on 23 March, all from the Esker Hills shop, Portlaoise.
Judge Fay noted that the case was in for finalisation. She informed Mr Cullen about the ongoing dispute and asked if he’d prefer his solicitor to be present or if he wished to finalise the case.
Mr Cullen said he would like to finalise the case.
Garda Sgt Kirby said the defendant had no previous convictions and had not come to garda attention since the incident.
Noting the probation report on the defendant indicated that Mr Cullen would benefit by being placed on a supervision bond, Judge Fay, expressed her concern that “this could leave you with a conviction for life for just four Kinder Bueno bars.”
She said she was adjourning the case until 21 September for an updated probation report and that she’d like to have Mr Cullen’s solicitor present on that date.
