Scratch card thief apprehended by shop staff

A BOOZED-up Ballymoney man was restrained by shop staff after trying to make off with a handful of scratch cards, a court has heard.

Aaron Andrew Brown (19) of Mosside Gardens appeared before North Antrim Magistrates Court on Friday to plead guilty to theft.

The court heard police were called to the Spar supermarket at Mountsandel, Coleraine on 26 August 2008.

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Brown had grabbed lottery scratch cards from near the till in the store before attempting to make off along with two of his friends, a prosecutor said.

However, he was stopped in his tracks just outside the shop by staff - including the in-house butcher - and members of the public.

The scratch cards - as well as a silver bracelet belonging to Brown - were recovered outside the shop.

A defence solicitor said her client - who is currently unemployed - had been at the Lammas Fair earlier that day.

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"He had been drinking all afternoon and called in to the shop on the way home to get cigarettes," she said.

She said Brown's decision to snatch the cards was a "impulsive act".

"He accepts he was very foolish," she said.

"You weren't behaving very well were you?" said District Judge Richard Wilson.

Mr Wilson said Brown had also breached an occupation order that day.

"The Lammas Fair and you didn't quite agree," he said.

"You know where you are going to end up if you keep going.

"Is that what you want?

"Keep your hands to yourself and behave yourself.

"Control the amount of drink you take as it obviously gets you into bother."

Brown was fined 200.

"Now I don't want to see you back again," said Mr Wilson.

"It is time you wised up."

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