A thief who ran out of a Magherafelt store without paying for a razor and picked up a school bag outside the door before making off in a car, appeared at the local Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

District Judge Conor Heaney described Robert Kucybala’s behaviour as “rather bizarre” and placed him on Probation for 14 months and ordered him to carry out 80 hours of community service on two counts of theft.

Forty-seven-year-old Kucybala, from Montague Manor, Ballymena, was also ordered to pay compensation of £11 to Home Bargains and £100 to the owner of the schoolbag.

Judge Heaney warned him that if he breached the court order he would be brought back to court and be sent immediately to prison.

Bishop Street Courthouse where Magherafelt Magistrates Court is held | Google Maps

placeholder image — Bishop Street Courthouse where Magherafelt Magistrates Court is held | Google Maps

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Counsel prosecuting said on December 1 last year Home Bargains reported the defendant entering the store and CCTV footage showed him walking up down the aisles before leaving with the razor without paying.

He said as the defendant left the store he picked up a schoolbag and went into the car park where he got into a car and drove off. The lawyer added that the schoolbag was still missing.

A defence lawyer said it was “mean” offence that was not motivated by financial gain.

He said the defendant has two children and a wife to support and had spent four weeks in custody after he was refused bail in connection with this matter.

The lawyer added that Kucybala had been referred by his GP to the community mental health team.