An opportunistic thief admitted stealing electrical cabling from an Armagh business when he was caught by police less than an hour later.
Peter Gabriel Maughan (45), of Mill Race, Belfast, was charged with theft following the incident, which took place on the morning of Wednesday, October 1.
A prosecution lawyer described Maughan’s actions as “opportunist, if I can put it that way”.
At around 9.40am, a witness saw a Transit van enter the yard of Autobits Motorstore. They became suspicious after seeing the defendant lift white and grey electrical cabling and place it into the back of the van before driving off.
The witness contacted the owner, and police were subsequently alerted. Officers stopped the vehicle just outside Dungannon at around 10.30am and identified Maughan as the driver.
A search of the van uncovered a quantity of electrical wire, which the defendant could not account for. He later accepted that he had taken the items, telling police he had gone in “on spec” and believed the cable was being dumped as rubbish.
He said he would normally have asked for permission but claimed he had been distracted because his brother was unwell.
A defence lawyer told the court that while Maughan did have a criminal record, it had “tapered off” in recent years.
District Judge Anne Marshall imposed a fine of £150, along with a £15 offender levy, allowing Maughan 12 weeks to pay.
