Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for security man who stole early printed book and artwork from college
Summary
Petr Balint, a 41-year-old former night security guard at All Hallows College, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to theft charges. He admitted to stealing 33 art prints and an incunabula, defined as a book printed before 1501, from the college between January 2013 and June 2014. Balint also pleaded guilty to the theft of four prayer books and six other books during the same period. Judge Martin Nolan noted that while theft from employers is a serious matter, the value involved in this case did not approach the thresholds cited by the Court of Appeal for significant custodial sentences. Consequently, the judge determined that a custodial sentence was not appropriate. Balint was imposed a two and a half-year sentence, which was suspended in full. The court heard that Balint had sold some of the stolen prints through Sotheby's auction house, claiming they belonged to his mother, and had later returned the incunabula to the college. Defence counsel highlighted that Balint had no previous convictions, was a married father of one, and had used the proceeds to supplement his low wage. The judge accepted that Balint had been working alone and succumbed to temptation while the college was winding down operations.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for security man who stole early printed book and artwork from college. Charges or matters: theft of 33 art prints and an "incunabula" – defined as a book printed before 1501 – from All Hallows College, Grace Park Road Dublin 9, on dates between January 2013 and June 2014; theft of four prayer books and six other books during the same time. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- January 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2014 Other
- 1969 and 1967 Other
- 2019-11-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: theft of 33 art prints and an "incunabula" – defined as a book printed before 1501 – from All Hallows College, Grace Park Road Dublin 9, on dates between January 2013 and June 2014; theft of four prayer books and six other books during the same time (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan noted that theft from employers was "well trodden ground" and that the Court of Appeal has said a four year sentence with the final two years suspended was appropriate for the theft of €250,000. He imposed a two and a half year sentence which he suspended in full.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Balint's house
Topics
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