Derry man (22) convicted for stealing Foyle Search and Rescue charity box

A man has been convicted at Derry Magistrates' Court today for stealing a charity box belonging to Foyle Search and Rescue after a contest. 

Matthew Grant (22) of Hawthorn Drive in Derry had denied a charge of stealing the charity box on July 6.

The court was told that shortly after midnight a police officer was tasked by CCTV operators to the Guildhall Square where a male had been seen wearing similar clothing to that of a man seen earlier in the day with a stolen charity box.

The officer told the court that he saw the male wearing 'distinctive red shorts' who he then recognised as Grant.

The court also heard a statement from a witness who said earlier on July 6 she had been walking down Carlisle Road and heard coins rattling.

She identified a man wearing red shorts who she said had a Foyle Search and Rescue box in his hand and then discarded it.

A statement was given by the charity that said no one would have had permission to have a collection box.

The court was told that Grant was not interviewed for the offence. 

Defence counsel for Grant Stephen Chapman called the defendant to the witness box where he denied the offence.

He said he had been with two females all day but said neither of them had come to court.

District Judge Ted Magill said the issue for him was that earlier in the day a man wearing red shorts had been seen with a stolen charity box and 8 hours later a man wearing identical clothing was identified as Grant.

He said he was 'satisfied' it was the same person. 

A pre-sentence report was requested and Grant will be sentenced on June 6.