Man stole woman's bank card and iPhone while she was swimming at North Coast beach

A man who rummaged through a woman's belongings and stole her bank card and iPhone while she was swimming at a North Coast beach has been jailed.

Joseph McDonagh, whose address was given on court papers as 'no fixed abode, Belfast', appeared before Limavady Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The 40 year-old was charged with the theft on June 15 and four counts of fraud by false representation on the same date.

The court heard that the injured party said she had left her belongings on the beach at East Strand in Portrush while she went for a swim.

While the woman was in the water she observed McDonagh rummaging through her belongings.

When she returned, the defendant had left the area however she noticed that her bank card and iPhone were missing.

The iPhone was returned to the injured party a short time later by a member of the public however McDonagh had used her bank card to make purchases valued at £56.

The court heard that he had also attempted to purchase an item valued at £29.99.

McDonagh's barrister Thomas McKeever desribed the offences as 'nasty'.

He said on the date in question, McDonagh had found himself in the North Coast with no money and he 'very foolishly' decided to take the bank card to buy food and a train ticket.

Mr McKeever stated that McDonagh, who is currently in custody, intends to return to Dublin following his release from prison.

“He has no plans to return to this jurisdiction which will give the court some comfort,” added Mr McKeever.

District Judge Peter King imposed a jail sentence of seven months.