Man in Longford District Court theft case told ‘clock is ticking’

A Longford man who stole alcohol from two Longford supermarkets has been warned he faces a spell behind bars if he returns before the court again.

Jaroslav Voitiukevic (40) 52 Ardnacassa, Longford appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at last week’s sitting of Longford District Court charged with theft from SuperValu, Townspark, Longford on January 12, 2023.

Just over a month later, Mr Voitiukevic entered Aldi, along Longford town’s Athlone Road and similarly took a bottle of wine from its shelves without paying.

Defence solicitor Frank Gearty said Mr Voitiukevic said he was at a loss to explain his client’s actions, but qualified that by revealing the loss incurred by both establishments had been recompensed in full.

“He went into the shop and took a bottle of alcohol out with him,” said Mr Gearty.

“He has come in and paid the compensation in full value and a little bit more, €50.

The value was €20 and €8 respectively and at least that is addressed.”

Mr Gearty said while Mr Voitiukevic’s offending was clear for the court to see, he pleaded with Judge Bernadette Owens to refrain from sending the accused to jail.

“I wish I could give you a clear understanding, except that there is going to be a conviction recorded and I am going to ask you not to impose a custodial sentence but to let the convictions speak for themselves as the court will be taking,” he said.

“If he does this again, the court will presumably take a very serious view of the matter and I am asking you not to send him to prison today and let him understand that this is on his record.

“He has come in and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, he has presented himself in a sober fashion to the court.”

Judge Owens took on board those remarks and said while she would stop short of handing down custodial term at this juncture, Mr Voitiukevic would likely face a far tougher sanction should he commit any further offences.

“The clock is ticking now on this and if he comes back before me for a similar type of offence then the court can only look at other options and one of the other options is the possibility of a custodial sentence,” she said.

Mr Voitiukevic was fined €200 and given five months to pay.