Courts / Dublin / Report
Worker couldn't resume employment after violent attack by shoplifter
Summary
In a February 2024 court hearing, Andrew Smith, 38, was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of an improvised firearm, to run consecutively with a two‑year sentence for assault causing harm. Smith, who has 94 prior convictions, was found guilty of using a sweeping brush to attack a shop worker who had tried to stop him from shoplifting. The victim, a Chinese man who had worked in the shop for eight or nine years, suffered two broken fingers and could not resume work, eventually returning to China. Smith's defence argued for a suspended portion of the sentence, but Judge Pauline Codd refused. The court noted Smith's racist language, the use of the brush, and his history of violent offences as aggravating factors, while his acceptance of responsibility and prior bail status were considered mitigating. The improvised firearm was seized during a search of Smith's home, where a shotgun and live cartridges were found.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Worker couldn't resume employment after violent attack by shoplifter. Charges or matters: the possession of an improvised firearm at that address in June 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2021 Incident
- November 20, 2018 Incident
- June 8, 2023 Incident
- 2024-02-08 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the possession of an improvised firearm at that address in June 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Codd said she would take his guilty plea and personal circumstance as mitigating factors and sentenced him to two years in prison. Judge Codd said there were grounds to depart from the mandatory sentence of five years and sentenced him to four years in prison to run consecutively with the two-year prison.
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