An Armagh man who stole items for two discount stores in the city on four separate occasions has been handed an 18-month probation order.
Michael Connors, of St Malachy’s Court, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court – sitting in Newry – on Tuesday, charged with four counts of theft on dates between November 7, 2024 and December 12, 2024.
The 25-year-old was also charged with possession of cannabis and assault on police on June 25, 2023.
In relation to the thefts, a prosecution lawyer told the court that on 7 November last year, police received reports from Around A Pound and B&M Bargains in Armagh stating that a man and a woman – co-accused 25-year-old Courtney Green, also of St Malachy’s Court – had entered the stores and stolen a number of items.
On November 30, police received a further call from B&M Bargains stating they had noticed the two known shoplifters enter the store at 4pm. After reviewing CCTV, they found the pair had repeated the same pattern from the previous incident.
On December 12, police received another report from B&M Bargains stating that a man matching the defendant’s description had entered the store on an electric scooter and taken various items without making payment.
Police later spotted Connors while on patrol and, at this point, also spoke to Green, who had approached officers. Both were arrested and taken to Lurgan custody suite, where they were held incommunicado. They both provided no-comment interviews.
The court also heard that on June 25, 2023, police received a report of an ongoing disturbance on the Newry Road, Armagh.
Connors was located outside an address, topless. A male – understood to be the defendant’s brother – had exited the property, having allegedly been assaulted by the defendant.
Connors became aggressive with police during the interaction and, whilst en route to custody, attempted to headbutt an officer. He was also arrested for possession of cannabis.
In addition to probation, District Judge Anne Marshall also handed Connors 60 hours of community service for the assault on police.
He was further ordered to pay compensation of £44 to Around A Pound and £220.36 to B&M Bargains.
An arrest warrant was issued for Green, who failed to appear in court.
