Courts / Dublin / Report

Algerian avoids jail for using stolen ATM cards

Summary

At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Sofiane Benchouat (44) of Sunbury Gardens, Dartry, Dublin, pleaded guilty to theft of €778 and €643 and one count of possession of a stolen ATM card at various locations between October 17th and November 23rd, 2014. He also admitted to theft of €40 and €456 and two counts of possession of a stolen ATM card during the same time period. Benchouat, who was homeless at the time of the offences, was sentenced by Judge Patricia Ryan to a two-year term, which was suspended in full. He was ordered to pay €900 in compensation to the financial institutions affected. Benchouat has four previous road traffic convictions and had previously married an Irish woman he met in Germany, but the marriage ended, leading to his homelessness. Co-accused Algerian Mohammed Fanit (41), formerly of Auburn Villas, Rathgar, Dublin, but now living in emergency accommodation, pleaded guilty to theft of €40 and €456 and two counts of possession of a stolen ATM card. His case was adjourned until March to allow him to gather compensation. Fanit has one previous conviction and previously worked as a taxi driver. Both men were identified on CCTV footage from Argos and Harvey Norman in the Nutgrove Retail Park, where they used the stolen cards to purchase goods. The financial institutions involved suffered a loss of just under €2,000. The cards were reportedly obtained by a third party, who gave the men a fee for making the purchases.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Algerian avoids jail for using stolen ATM cards. Charges or matters: theft of €778 and €643 and one count of possession of a stolen ATM card at various locations on dates between October 17th and November 23rd, 2014; theft of €40 and €456 and two counts of possession of a stolen ATM card at locations during the same time period. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 17th Incident
• November 23rd, 2014 Incident
• 2016-01-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report