Courts / Dublin / Report
Hatchet-wielding robber identified himself by boasting about distinctive runners
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Leon Thompson, aged 21, pleaded guilty to a robbery at a Londis shop in Clondalkin on 16 February 2019. He entered the shop at 8.20 pm armed with a hatchet, threatened two male employees, and stole €400 from the till. While fleeing, he fell over a display of KitKat bars. Thompson's claim that he had "scant memory" of the incident was noted, and he was not cooperative during the Garda interview, though he admitted to buying the distinctive runners that matched prints found at the scene. Judge Orla Crowe, recognising Thompson's juvenile status at the time, imposed a three‑year prison sentence, noting that a headline sentence for an adult would have been six years. The judge highlighted the hatchet use and the impact on staff as aggravating factors, while acknowledging Thompson's remorse and lack of prior convictions. The sentence was delivered today.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hatchet-wielding robber identified himself by boasting about distinctive runners. Charges or matters: one count of robbery at Londis, Fonthill Retail Park, Clondalkin on February 16, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 16, 2019 Other
- 2023-01-31 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of robbery at Londis, Fonthill Retail Park, Clondalkin on February 16, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Imposing sentence today, Judge Orla Crowe said Thompson had effectively identified himself to gardai during interview as he "made some boast about having this type of runners". Judge Crowe noted that Thompson was a juvenile at the time of this offence and handed him a three-year prison sentence, adding that she would have imposed a headline sentence of six years for an adult.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Glenfield Drive
- Dublin
- Glenfield Estate
- Fonthill Retail Park
Topics
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