Teen accused of defrauding numerous Derry businesses has court conditions relaxed to allow for removal of electronic tag

A teenager from Derry accused of defrauding numerous local businesses by using counterfeit money has had his bail conditions relaxed at the city’s Magistrates’ Court.

Thomas Christopher Stokes, 18 of Cornshell Fields, faces sixty-three charges related to theft, attempted theft and fraud, arising from the possession and use of counterfeit money between July 30, 2016 and March 8, 2017.

Around sixteen businesses are alleged to have fallen victim to the defendant’s actions over an eight-month period.

Businesses known to be affected, include Paolos Pizzas, Long’s Supermarket, Homebase, Tasty Bites, M&S, The Wee Shop, Spar and Centra were said to have incurred a loss of £1,400 as a result of theft.

It was revealed at a previous court appearance that when the defendant’s property was searched thirty-two £50 counterfeit notes amounting to £1,600 were found ‘under his bed’.

At one point the defendant was banned from entering any shop in Northern Ireland but that court condition was subsequently lifted by the High Court.

An application was made at Derry Magistrates Court on Monday, September 18, for a bail variation to have his electronic tag removed.

District Judge Barney McElholm agreed to amend his conditions to exclude the need for a tag, but applied an additional condition requested by the Public Prosecution Service that prohibits Stokes from leaving the jurisdiction of the six counties of Northern Ireland.

The other bail terms will also remain in place and the defendant will appear at court again on October 26.