Court hears man followed Derry teenager after catching him stealing hubcaps from his car

A local judge has warned a Derry teenager who admitted stealing hubcaps from a car that he will be going to prison if he continues to steal.

Thomas Stokes, 18, of Labre Park, pleaded guilty to stealing four hubcaps from a vehicle on August 19, 2016.

The court heard the defendant, who has just recently turned 18, has youth court matters pending.

In relation to the theft, a Public Prosecutor said the injured party observed the defendant removing the hubcaps from his car before getting in to a van and driving off.

He decided to follow the van which ended up at the traveller’s camp at Ballyarnett.

The victim said he watched from a safe distance as the men transferred the items from one van to another.

Police located a vehicle matching the description and the defendant was taken in for questioning during which Stokes admitted he stole the hub caps.

District Judge Barney McElholm said: “I’m seeing this young man far, far, too often and it’s always for theft.  He thinks he can go around lifting whatever he wants.

“It’s getting to the stage where I’m going to put him in prison.  He has been given every chance at Youth Court and is now in breach of a suspended sentence.”

The District Judge ordered a pre-sentence probation report and the 18-year-old will appear for a court hearing again on November 17.