Man who carried out spree of thefts as a teen given suspended sentence and ordered to pay almost £3,000 in compensation

A man who carried out a spree of thefts and dishonesty offences when he was aged 16 and 17 between June 2021 and February 2022 has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay almost £3,000 in compensation. 

Ciaran Stokes (20) of Knockena in Derry had contested a total of 19 charges but was convicted. 

The court heard that among the charges was selling a man a phone for £600 which turned out to be 'a knock off'.

On another occasion he offered counterfeit currency to a Chinese takeaway to pay for a £40 order.

The court was told that Stokes had purchased a microwave and used counterfeit currency only then to return it a short time later and receive legal notes.

He was also involved in a deal to buy a vehicle which left the owner hundreds of pounds short and a similar situation when he bought a sewing machine. 

The court was told that in almost all the cases Stokes was identified by a controlled viewing. 

Defence counsel Damien Halleron asked the court to take into account the defendant's age at the time of offending. 

He said if the defendant was jailed today there was no chance of anyone being compensated for their loss and asked the judge to apply 'exceptionality' in the case.

Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers described the offending as 'shocking criminality'.

She told Stokes he should consider himself 'very fortunate ' he was not going straight to prison. 

Stokes was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 2 years and ordered to pay £2,932 in compensation.