Lengthy suspended sentence for man convicted of credit theft in Kilkenny shops

A ‘lengthy suspended sentence’ has been given to a man who twice tried to get €200 of pay-as-you-go credit, without paying.

Poca Munteanu, 37 Presentation Gardens, Waterford, pleaded guilty to two theft charges, at Kilkenny District Court.

On May 25, 2022, Mr Munteanu and a second man went into Spar, Irishtown. They asked for €200 credit then took a picture of the activation code and left without paying. Gardaí also received a report that the men had tried the same thing at another city centre shop, Kitty’s Cabin.

Solicitor Ed Hughes said that his client couldn’t afford to pay for electricity and a friend came up with this idea. They went into the shop, created a ‘bit of a ruckus’ to distract the staff, took a picture of the code to use when they got home.

Unfortunately for his client, Mr Hughes said, the friend took the benefit of both credits.

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Mr Munteanu had €200 in court to offer as compensation, the solicitor said. His client is 23, his wife is pregnant and they are struggling financially. Mr Hughes asked the court to treat Mr Munteanu as leniently as possible, it was ‘out of desperation’ his client had acted rather than any malice.

Judge Geraldine Carthy imposed a prison term of five months, suspended for 18 months, and directed Mr Munteanu engage with the Probation Service and pay compensation.