A Lurgan man who stole a total of seven bottles of Buckfast from two Winemark stores in a day has been sentenced to four months in prison.
The 30-year-old’s barrister told court his client is a “well known man in this division and he would also have been well known to the staff at Winemark”.
Jamie Geddis, of Dingwell Park, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Friday, appearing via videolink from Maghaberry.
Prosecution outlined that on September 29, police received a report of a theft from Winemark on Church Street, Portadown.
A male had entered the store and left without paying for three bottles of Buckfast, valued at £18.49. When approached he stated his name was Jamie.
On the same day, there was a similar theft, this time of four bottles of Buckfast, to the value £27 from Winemark on Gilford Road, Portadown.
Then on October 15, at 4.45pm, the same male entered Winemark on Church Street, this time making off with £31.02 worth of alcohol.
After viewing CCTV from the stores, police were able to identify the male as the defendant.
Geddis was interviewed and made full admissions to the offences, he apologised for his behaviour and offered restitution.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny stated: “Mr Geddis is a well known man in this division and he would also have been well known to the staff at Winemark.
“He is a long-standing alcoholic. When he was last released he had managed to get a job but for this man the threat of alcohol is never far away.”
He added: “He lacked the money to buy the alcohol which is what led to this unsophisticated operation.”
Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare commented: “Your record is atrocious and your licence has been revoked.”
Geddis was sentenced to four months in prison for the offences.
