Man with 52 previous convictions jailed for theft from two Kilkenny shops

A prison sentence of four months has been handed down to a man convicted of two theft offences.

Before Kilkenny District Court was Dean Cooke, Good Shepherd Hostel, Church Lane, Kilkenny.
He pleaded guilty to both charges.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor said that both offences occurred in October.

On October 13 Mr Cooke went into Centra, Irishtown, and took icecream, a spicebag, strawberries, raspberries and other items, to the value of €21. He left without paying.
Gardaí were called and he was identified on CCTV.

On October 27 Mr Cooke went into Centra, John’s Green. On this occasion he took sweets, chocolates and cookies to the value of €12.50.
He concealed them in his clothing and left without paying.
Again, he was identified by gardaí who viewed CCTV.

There were 52 previous convictions recorded against Mr Cooke.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client had asked him to apologise to the court and had brought compensation to offer for the items taken.

The solicitor said Mr Cooke told him that on the day in question “he had been kicked out of the Good Shepherd.” He was homeless and living in a tent. Someone gave him ‘tablets’ and he doesn’t remember going into the shop.

Mr Hogan said his client is ‘doing his best,’ he is back living in the Good Shepherd Hostel and is trying to get work. He is working with the support services.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said Mr Cooke’s early plea was a mitigating factor but the 52 previous convictions was an aggravating factor in the case.

Noting that ‘this gentleman was not long out of custody’ the judge said she had to take into consideration the effects of his recidivism on the people of Kilkenny.

The offences did merit a custodial sentence, the judge said. Mr Cooke was sentenced to four months in prison on one of the theft charges, with the other taken into consideration.