Agreed to steal from Cookstown store in return for transport back to Lithuania

When the promise of a job did not materialise for a Lithuanian man, he became involved in an episode of shoplifting at Tesco’s in Cookstown as part of an agreement that he would be given transport back to his home country, Dungannon Magistrates Court has heard.

By The Newsroom

Published 15th Nov 2014, 11:06 BST

Jonas Posiunas, 54, of no fixed abode, was apprehended by staff at the store on October 18 after stealing three bottles of brandy, with a total value of £90.

Posiunas admitted the charge of theft and one of going equipped for theft with a foil lined bag.

Through an interpreter, Posiunas told police he had only arrived in Northern Ireland two weeks previously. A prosecutor told the court Posiunas claimed he was approached by a foreign national male who had offered to sort out transport for him back to Lithuania if Posiunas agreed to “steal some items”.

Posiunas was sentenced to two months in prison.