Courts / Longford / Report
Would-be burglar opened door to gardai, court hears
Summary
A man with 116 previous convictions, including 17 for burglary, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to trespass with intent to commit an offence at a dwelling in Dublin 8 on 4 October 2015. James Smith, aged 33, of Mostrim Oaks, Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, County Longford, entered the house by breaking a kitchen window. When the occupants shouted that gardaí had been contacted, Smith indicated he required assistance as someone was pursuing him. Upon the arrival of gardaí, Smith opened the door to admit them. He later told gardaí he had entered the property intending to steal items for sale, stating he needed money urgently and was unaware occupants were present. Nothing was taken from the house. Smith acknowledged he had consumed drugs prior to the incident. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned sentencing to allow preparation of updated psychological and probation reports. A sentence date of 3 April 2017 was fixed, at which point defence counsel will make a plea in mitigation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Would-be burglar opened door to gardai, court hears. Charges or matters: trespass with intent to commit an offence at Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin 8 on October 4, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 4, 2015 Adjournment
- April 3, 2017 Adjournment
- 2017-01-27 Publication
Why: The man shouted back up the stairs that he needed help and this was good because someone was after him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: trespass with intent to commit an offence at Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin 8 on October 4, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She fixed a sentence date of April 3, 2017.; Judge Pauline Codd adjourned sentencing to allow for an updated psychological report and a probation report to be prepared.
Places mentioned
- Mostrim
- Ballymahon
- Ballymahon Road
- Edgeworthstown
- Longford
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Bloomfield Avenue
- Dublin
Topics
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