Teen held elderly man during robbery
Wednesday March 03 2010
A COUNTY WICKLOW youth who restrained a 70-year-old man in an armchair at an old folks' complex while his accomplice searched the man's flat for cash to steal is to be sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The then 15-year-old put his hand over the elderly man's mouth to stop him shouting while his older relative cut the man's wrists as he tried to pull bracelets off his arms. The pair made off with €400 cash.
The now 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to the burglary at Ballybough Court on September 17, 2007. His accomplice was given a five-year sentence for the offence last year.
Garda Liam Donaghue told Mr Roughan Banim BL, prosecuting, that the youth and his accomplice entered the man's flat which was part of an old folks complex.
The elderly man, who suffers from arthritis and can only walk with crutches, was restrained by the youth while the older man searched his pockets and cupboards.
Gda Donaghue said the youth and his accomplice were identified on CCTV and later arrested.
He agreed with defence counsel, Ms Sandra Frayne BL, that the youth was under the influence of his older relative who had extensive previous convictions and a drug addiction.
The co-accused told gardaí he was sorry for getting the boy involved in the offence.
Ms. Frayne said the youth had been looking after himself since he was 13-years-old and had no qualifications. She said he was now trying to keep a low profile and plays an active part in his own child's life. His ambition is to try and own his own place. Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned sentencing until April to allow a probation report be prepared to see what supervision and educational courses may be available.
