11-month sentence for shoplifter who targeted Kildare Village

A Kildare judge imposed an 11-month sentence ona shoplifter who stole goods from Kildare Village.

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the decision at Naas District Court on Thursday, January 12, in the case of Nicu Balan, with an address listed as 28 Fern's Close, Ferns Bridge, Monasterevin.

Gardaí said that the 35-year-old went into various shops at the retail outlet on November 12 last at around 1.45pm and stole a selection of clothing with a total value of €282.

It was also heard that Mr Balan was caught with an apparatus used to take tags off the clothes.

Garda Sergeant Brian Jacob added that all items were later recovered and were able to be resold.

Although his legal representative told Judge Zaidan that his client only had one previous conviction for driving with no insurance, and had brought with him €300 to be given to a nominated charity as a gesture of remorse.

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He added that his client was married and had a young child, and that the incident arose simply 'as a moment of madness.'

However, Judge Zaidan said that Kildare Village 'is a magnet' for shoplifters, and added: "A message has to go out that shoplifting won’t be tolerated."

The judge also said the thefts would have had a 'knock-on effect' on the shops he stole from, and further remarked that Mr Balan’s case showed 'a classic intent to shoplift.'

Judge Zaidan decided to impose an 11-month custodial sentence on Mr Balan for the offence.