27/04/2012

'Stupid' Criminal Stole Empty Cash Box

A man who was found in his home with security dye on his hands after stealing an empty cash box has been branded as a “stupid criminal’.

46-year-old Lawrence Smith had drank seven cans of cider on a bench before he approached a security man, threatened him and stole the cash box.

Pleading guilty to stealing a cash box from G-Force Security at South Great George’s Street on March 23th, 2011, Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year sentence, which he suspended in full after asking: “Is it a mitigating factor that the criminal is stupid?”

Garda Dan Barry told prosecuting counsel Monika Leech that G-Force Security was placing money in an ATM at South Great George’s Street. A security man was returning to the van with an empty cash box when Smith approached him, and said: “Give me the f***ing cash box, buddy.”

After the robbery Smith, who has 15 previous convictions, got into a taxi, placing the box in the boot of the car, and asked to be driven home. The taxi driver reported him gardaí.

(H)


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