A man found cycling a bike in Tralee while wearing a balaclava has been jailed for a string of thefts.
34-year-old Trevin Collins of no fixed abode was sentenced recently at Tralee District Court.
Trevin Collins faced five theft charges and one charge of obstruction dating between August 6th and September 16th.
Sergeant Chris Manton told the court that on September 16th, Gardaí observed a male cycling a bike in Tralee while wearing a balaclava.
He outlined that Gardaí approached the man, who fled; before he was stopped and searched, where they discovered Trevin Collins was in possession of three grams of cocaine.
Judge David Waters heard evidence of a string of thefts from stores in Tralee, including Holland & Barret, Michael Guiney’s, Lidl and Corrib Oil.
These items were never recovered and amounted to a total value of over €375.
His solicitor Pat Mann told the court that Mr Collins was effectively homeless at the time and was going from pillar to post to try and secure accommodation.
He noted this issue caused problems for his client and the items were things which he would not have sold on, including protein powder.
Mr Mann asked the judge to give his understanding.
Judge Waters said he would have sympathy if Mr Collins hadn’t had money for cocaine.
The judge sentenced him to nine months in prison for each theft charge, with these to run concurrently.
Judge Waters backdated the sentence to September 17th when Mr Collins went into custody, and took the obstruction charge into consideration.
