A “professional criminal” avoided jail despite Cardigan shoplifting, including a stolen card used in Aberystwyth.
O’Connell is 37 and lives in St Dogmaels. He went to court on February 7. He admitted to stealing a shirt, which cost £22 and came from a shop.
He also confessed to stealing an iPhone at the Guild Hall. Plus, he stole Nike jogging bottoms from a sports shop. These thefts happened on February 4.
O’Connell stole electric toothbrushes, worth £300, from Boots on February 4 as well. He also admitted to taking a bank card belonging to Kelly Williams on February 5 on Aberystwyth Road.
O’Connell used the stolen card at Tesco in Aberystwyth on the same day, buying £89.45 worth of stuff. He admitted this was fraud.
The court sentenced O’Connell to jail for 12 weeks. However, they suspended this for one year. The court called him a “professional criminal” who ignores people’s property.
They suspended the jail time because they saw a possibility he could change. O’Connell must attend drug rehab for nine months.
He also needs to pay £389.45 in compensation and £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.