Man who stole from Ballymena shop was being put 'under pressure by loan sharks', court hears
A man who stole £75 worth of goods from a Ballymena shop was being put under pressure from "loan sharks", a court has heard.
Details were given to Ballymena Magistrates' Court which heard Neil Connolly (51), of Larne Street in Ballymena, had shoplifted on September 14 this year.
A defence solicitor said the defendant had been unemployed and was in financial difficulties and "unfortunately succumbed to borrowing money from loan sharks and they were putting pressure on this gentleman".
The solicitor said the defendant has now paid for the stolen goods taken from the shop and he was "ashamed".
The defendant was fined £200.