A purse thief walked free from court today (Thurs)

A purse thief walked free from court today (Thurs) when
a judge decided he should not be a burden to tax payers.

The unemployed Irishman was allowed to return to Eire to
seek work after admitting stealing a wallet from a woman near
London’s Victoria Station.

Southwark Crown Court heard 22-year-old James O’Shea
travelled to Manchester to work as a labourer but lost his job
working on motorway maintenance after two weeks.

O’shea, who previously worked on stud farms after qualifying
in horse management at agricultural college, headed for the capital
in search of employment.

He was said to have snatched the bag last month in a
moment of ‘madness’ when he found himself penniless.

Judge Mota Singh, QC, said he had been ‘persuaded’ to take
the unusual step of sentencing without the benefit of reports on
hearing O’Shea was returning home.

He was told that the defendant had spent seven days in
custody and that any community service order ‘would keep him in this
country living off the state.

‘
The judge added: ‘Seven days in custody is enough’ and fined
O’Shea pnds 50, ordered him to pay pnds stlng 75 compensation, and
pnds stlng 100 towards costs.

The court heard that O’Shea had snatched the bag but had
been chased by his victim and a passer-by.

At one point he was tripped by another pedestrian and
threw the purse at him, allowing it to be returned to its owner.

But later his victim saw him in the area and called the
police.

When interviewed he said: ‘Some fellow tripped me and I
threw the wallet at him.

‘
O’Shea, originally from Tipperary, but of no fixed address
in England, pleaded guilty to theft but denied robbery on September
2.

Mr Paul Bogan, for O’Shea, said his client had no criminal
record and ‘the offence was committed quite out of character.

‘
He said when the woman confirmed she was going to call the
police, O’Shea commented: ‘Well, at least I will have a place to
stay.

‘
Counsel said: ‘It gives an indication of the desperate
nature of the young man at the time.

‘
Mr Bogan said O’Shea had worked on stud farms in County
Kildare for two years after leaving college and was anxious to return
to seek similar work.

‘The work position in Ireland for a man of his experience is
good.

The foaling season starts in January,’ he said.

‘He is confident he will find work.

‘A moment of madness has cost him his good character.

‘
Urging the judge to immediately deal with the case – instead
of requesting pre-sentence reports, Mr Bogan added a delay would
‘keep him in this country living off the state.

‘
ends