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Former Vodafone employee gets suspended sentence for stealing mobile phones
Summary
Richard Higgins, a 26‑year‑old former Vodafone employee, was given an 18‑month suspended sentence for stealing mobile phones and a Dell laptop from the company between 2011 and 2013. The court heard that Higgins had exploited a flaw in Vodafone's ordering system to send phones to himself, mainly Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models, and had also sold six phones online. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had a prior speeding conviction. Judge Karen O'Connor noted that Higgins had been spending thousands of euros a month on cocaine and had made poor decisions because of his drug addiction. She cited testimonials from family describing him as a "beautiful person" who had performed good deeds, and she suspended the sentence on the condition that he keeps the peace. Higgins brought €2,000 to court as a token gesture of recompense.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former Vodafone employee gets suspended sentence for stealing mobile phones. Charges or matters: stealing mobile phones and one Dell Latitude laptop from Vodafone Ireland at Mountainview, Dublin 18 on dates between 2011 and 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2013 Other
- February 2013 Other
- 2011 and 2013 Other
- 2016-02-23 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: stealing mobile phones and one Dell Latitude laptop from Vodafone Ireland at Mountainview, Dublin 18 on dates between 2011 and 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Fiona Ferguson and Conor Gallagher A former competitive swimmer and Vodafone employee who exploited a flaw in the company ordering system to send mobile phones to himself has been given a suspended sentence. Higgins wiped away tears as Judge O'Connor told him to "put this behind you and get on with your life." She suspended an 18 month sentence on condition he keeps the peace.
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