Courts / Dublin / Report

Jealousy over friends' pay rises led shop worker to steal scratch cards

Date
2019-03-14
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Rafal Winter, 37, admitted stealing more than €10,000 worth of lottery scratch cards from Spar, The Crescent and Mulhuddart shops between July and September 2017. He claimed jealousy after friends discussed pay rises prompted him to take up to 30 books of cards, win between €2,000 and €3,000, and cash the winnings at various shops. Winter voluntarily presented himself to Gardaí, stating he took two to four books a week and scratched them himself. He offered to resign and repay the shop, but the loss remains €10,567. He has no prior convictions in Ireland or Poland. The court noted his remorse, lack of wealth, and that he was the sole earner for his family. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to October to allow time for potential repayment arrangements. Rafal Winter pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jealousy over friends' pay rises led shop worker to steal scratch cards. Charges or matters: stealing lottery scratch cards at Spar, The Crescent, Mulhuddart, Dublin, on dates between July 2 and September 24, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: A former shop assistant manager admitted he stole over €10,000 worth of scratch cards because he had been jealous at his friends talking about pay rises, a court has heard. CNI source report

Case subjects

Rafal Winter

Defendant

Charges: stealing lottery scratch cards at Spar, The Crescent, Mulhuddart, Dublin, on dates between July 2 and September 24, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Greally took into account Winter's lack of previous convictions and adjourned the sentence to October to give him a "realistic prospect of getting some recompense".; Judge Greally took into account Winter's lack of previous convictions and adjourned the sentence to October to give him a "realistic prospect of getting some recompense".

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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