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Algerian seeking refugee status gets suspended sentence over "Aladdin's cave" of stolen phones
Summary
An Algerian national, Khaled Benfares, aged 32, was found with 17 stolen mobile phones in his Rathmines flat, described by the court as an "Aladdin's cave". He pleaded guilty to eight charges of possessing stolen phones, claiming he had no contact details for the man who left the phones and that he had not stolen them himself. Benfares admitted that the presence of so many phones was suspicious and that he had allowed the flat to be used as a storage place for them. He had no prior convictions and was seeking refugee status in Ireland, having arrived in 2011. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended sentence of two years, noting that imprisonment would be more difficult for a foreign national. The case was prosecuted by Ronan Kennedy BL and defended by Dean Kelly BL. The Garda raid was triggered by a tip‑off, and Benfares was arrested and interviewed five times before the court hearing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Algerian seeking refugee status gets suspended sentence over "Aladdin's cave" of stolen phones. Charges or matters: eight sample charges of being in possession of phones knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen at Grove Park, Rathmines on June 25, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 25, 2013 Incident
- 2015-11-12 Publication
Why: Judge Martin Nolan suspended a sentence of two years and noted that life in prison here would be more difficult for Benfares because he is a foreign national. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: eight sample charges of being in possession of phones knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen at Grove Park, Rathmines on June 25, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) An Algerian national who was caught with 17 stolen mobile phones in what was described as "an Aladdin's cave" has avoided jail after receiving a suspended sentence. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a sentence of two years and noted that life in prison here would be more difficult for Benfares because he is a foreign national.
Places mentioned
- South Circular Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Grove Park
Topics
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