A Craigavon man who stole a lolly whilst drunk has been given a two-month jail term after failing to complete a community service order.
Court heard the 28-year-old had been handed a combination order in December 2016 for what his solicitor described as “the theft of a lolly whilst highly intoxicated”.
William Gibson appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday as probation called for the order to be revoked.
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented that the cost of the item stolen did not matter as the defendant continued to drink.
Defence solicitor Richard Monteith said Gibson had started to complete his community service hours, but night shifts and a series of injuries had hindered this.
He said the defendant had completed the probation side of the order but not the work element.
Mr Monteith also said Gibson was still subject to a suspended sentence until December 2019.
The solicitor confirmed that the defendant accepted that he had entered a service station, stole a lolly and not cooperated with police when approached about the theft.
District Judge Kelly stated: “I always explain that if there is any reason why the person cannot comply with the work they must apply to have it revoked.
“If these orders are abused we will lose the capacity to use them.”
Gibson was sentenced to two months in prison for the offences.
However, Mr Monteith announced the defendant’s wish to appeal the decision and Gibson was released on his own bail of £500.
Bail conditions included an alcohol ban and a curfew between 8pm and 6am.
