Court hears how man went on €600 Longford crime spree

Sebastian Kubuj (21), of Clonturk, Stonepark, Longford, pleaded guilty last week to stealing in the region of €600 from a string of local stores between the end of July and October.

The first of those took place on July 31 at Lloyd's Pharmacy, Longford Shopping Centre.

Sgt Mark Mahon, for the prosecution, said Mr Kubuj was seen entering the store just after 5pm before proceeding to put three bottles of aftershave into his trousers.

Seven weeks later, Mr Kubuj walked into Baxter's Chemist and stole perfume to the value of €97.

The following month, the accused was spotted making off with two pairs of tracksuit bottoms worth an estimated €116.

Two further thefts were committed by the accused on the same day, October 23, when both Dv8 and SuperValu were targeted.

The former incident resulted in the theft of two jackets worth a combined €240 while the latter saw two bottles of Rosé wine being taken from its shelves.

The court heard on every occasion Mr Kubuj was arrested by gardaí, full admissions were made, but in nearly every instance the stolen goods went unaccounted for.

Defence solicitor Frank Gearty said he was at a loss as to explain why or how his client decided to embark on what he described as a shoplifting “spree”.

“I have known this man since he was 13-years-old when he would come into my office with his mother and he was always very clean cut, so it was an absolute shock when he turned up here being the author of a crime spree in what was a relatively short period of time,” he said.

Mr Gearty said it was “inexplicable” how Mr Kubuj resorted to embarking on such drastic measures in order to “get money for Christmas”.

Mr Gearty accepted that train of thought used by the accused could be deemed as an aggravating rather than mitigating factor.

He said despite his client not being in the best of shape financially, Mr Kubuj was well aware of the need to make some regular contribution to make amends for each of the thefts he committed.

Mr Gearty continued to provide some background as to Mr Kubuj's personal circumstances, saying he was an individual who underwent a local Youthreach programme.

Mr Gearty said in order for his client to rectify his own wrongdoing, Mr Kubuj would need a certain amount of time to gather compensation money.

Judge Bernadette Owens sanctioned that request and remanded Mr Kubuj on continuing bail ahead of a return court appearance on February 14, 2023.