A homeless man who stole €15 worth of food from a Spar store out of “desperation” has been given a suspended sentence.
Amiran Zaalishvili pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to stealing groceries from Spar at Leopardstown Valley Shopping Centre, Ballyogan Road, Dublin, on 14 May 2021, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Zaalishvili (33), of Augustine Street, Dublin 8, admitted selecting groceries to the value of €15.75 and leaving the premises without paying. The goods were not recovered.
Counsel for the defence, Michael O’Brien BL, told Judge Conor Fottrell that Mr Zaalishvili was “effectively homeless” at the time of the offence and did not have money to purchase food. He said the theft was committed out of desperation for food.
The court heard that Zaalishvili has 26 previous convictions, including offences under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, assault, criminal damage, breach of bail and road traffic legislation.
Judge Fottrell noted that while the value involved was relatively small, the accused had a significant history before the courts.
The judge imposed a two-month custodial sentence, suspended in full for 12 months, on condition that the accused enter into a €200 bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.