Man jailed for £1,500 gas cylinders theft

James Oliver Crozier (26), of Catherine Street, Newry, but who is currently serving a prison sentence, admitted a number of theft-related matters when he appeared via videolink at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

He pleaded guilty to stealing flowers valued at £5.99 on January 19; stealing a socket set valued at £30 on January 20; and stealing the gas cylinders on a date between January 18-21.

The court was told the offences took place in January 2014 after a van had been stolen from England before being transported via ferry to Dublin. CCTV footage identified the defendant getting out of the van.

The thefts were then carried out over subsequent days with the van being used to transport the stolen gas cylinders, which were later recovered.

A defending solicitor said there had been “a considerable element of joint enterprise” involving another person but that person “could not be traced”.

“Mr Crozier stands to fall for the actions of the two,” the solicitor added.

District Judge Greg McCourt said the sentence he imposed will run concurrently with the one Crozier is already serving.