Prison sentence for youth who drove off without paying for petrol in Offaly

A young man who drove off without paying for petrol in Tullamore has been sentenced to two months detention.

The young man who appeared by video link at Tullamore District Court had 83 previous convictions.

The youth, who cannot be named, appeared on a summons of making off without payment of €56.11 petrol from Maunsells Filling Station in Tullamore on August 18, 2023. The vehicle was the subject of an unauthorised taking in Donegal.

The young man pleaded guilty to the offence and elected to have his case heard at the district court. He told Judge Cody he didn't want a solicitor.

He had 83 previous convictions, the majority were for theft, including the unauthorised taking of vehicles, making off without payment and he had previously received three months detention.

''What do you want to say?'' asked Judge Andrew Cody. ''Nothing,'' replied the youth.

This is a serious record of offences said Judge Cody. ''I don't care'' he replied.

Judge Cody said that under the circumstances and given the number of previous convictions, he was sentencing him to two months detention.

''There is only so much you can do for somebody,'' said Judge Cody.