Teenager brought shoplifting by his aunt remanded on bail
A then-13-year-old schoolboy, who was brought shoplifting by his aunt, has been remanded on bail to allow time for a pre-sentence probation report to be obtained.
The teen, who is now aged 14, pleaded guilty today at the Children’s Court to theft of a bottle of perfume worth €59, at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, in Dublin, on December 2, last year.
Judge Elizabeth MacGrath heard that the teenage boy had been stopped by security guards at the centre and the perfume bottle had been recovered in tact.
She also noted that the boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother, had no prior convictions.
In mitigation, defence solicitor Sarah Molloy informed the court that the boy had co-operated with gardai following his arrest. “He was with an older woman, he was 13,” she said. Judge MacGrath also heard that the woman was the boy’s aunt.
Ms Molloy said that the teenager had a number of family difficulties, he had two close relatives were in jail, but despite this he had stayed in school.
Judge MacGrath agreed with Ms Molloy that the north Dublin boy could benefit from intervention from the Probation Service. She adjourned sentencing for a report to be obtained.
