'It was an act of desperation' says barrister about father-of-two who stole baby clothes from Portadown store, Craigavon court hears
“The next step is prison”, a father-of-two is told after he pleaded guilty to stealing baby clothes from a Co Armagh shop.
The 29-year-old man pleaded guilty to a single charge of theft when he appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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Shea Patrick Haughian, aged 29, from Steps Road, Magheralin, was arrested after police received a report from Peacocks in Portadown about a theft on September 13 last year.
Staff told police a man and woman were spotted in the store and “lifted several different types of male and female baby clothes”.
"The male ran out of the store with the items leaving the female behind. The male made no attempt to pay for the goods that totalled £138,” said a Prosecutor, adding Haughian made full admissions when interviewed.
Haughian’s barrister Mr Conor Coulter said: “Obviously no excuse but he has two young children aged 13 months and four months old. It was an act of desperation in the circumstances.
"He expressed to police at the very end of his interview that he has to provide for his family.”
The barrister said he accepts his client has a “poor record” in relation to dishonesty offences, however, he is not in breach of anything although he received a suspended jail term “a number of years ago”.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan told Haughian that working was “the best path” to provide for his family.
Haughian was sentenced to four months jail suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £138 compensation with 18 weeks to pay.
“Just be careful Mr Haughian. The next step is prison,” he concluded.