Courts / Dublin / Report

'Huge betrayal of trust': man stole €10k from stepdad to feed cocaine habit

Date
2022-11-03
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A Dublin man, Ashley Medina, 33, was given a suspended two‑year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing over €10,000 from his stepfather to fund a cocaine habit. Medina pleaded guilty to 54 theft charges covering the period from December 2020 to February 2021. He withdrew about €250 at a time from various ATMs using his stepfather's bank card while in the throes of addiction. The stepfather has since died, but Medina had made amends before his death and expressed remorse. The judge, Martin Nolan, described the offence as a "huge betrayal of trust" and noted the stepfather's character. Medina's sentence was suspended on the condition of good behaviour for two years and payment of €5,000 to his step‑sister as compensation. The case was brought to light when the step‑sister attempted to pay a hospital bill and discovered the account was empty. CCTV footage and bank statements confirmed the withdrawals.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Huge betrayal of trust': man stole €10k from stepdad to feed cocaine habit. Charges or matters: sample counts representing 54 charges of theft carried out in the Dublin 8 area between December 2020 and February 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Ashley Medina

Defendant

Charges: sample counts representing 54 charges of theft carried out in the Dublin 8 area between December 2020 and February 2021 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said although Medina had behaved "atrociously", he was remorseful and deserved a second chance to address his addiction. The judge gave Medina a two-year sentence but suspended it in full on condition that he be of good behaviour for two years and give the sum of €5,000 to his step-sister as a form of compensation.

Places mentioned

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

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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