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17 months in prison for 'career criminal' E-mail
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Wednesday, 24 January 2007
A man who Judge Mary Fahy called "a career criminal" was sentenced to a total of 17 months imprisonment at Galway District Court this week.

Ahcene Laledji (33), with an address at 12 Leinster Road, Dublin 6, was sentenced to seven months imprisonment and has to pay €460 witnesses expenses, for using an instrument which was and which he knew or believed to be a false instrument at Dunnes Stores, Eyre Square, on 18 February 2006.

He was sentenced to five months imprisonment (consecutive) for assaulting Garda Jennifer Ryan at Merchants Road, Galway, on the same date. The defendant received three months imprisonment (consecutive) for stealing €105, the property of Sally Hogarty at Dunnes Stores, two months (consecutive) for stealing €116, the property of Sally Hogarty, and two months (concurrent) for stealing €130, the property of Sally Hogarty on the same occasion. He pleaded guilty to the offences.

Inspector Marie Skehill told the court that Garda Ryan received a call to go to Dunnes Stores, where a report had been made of a credit card being used fraudulently. A male had presented a female's Bank of Ireland Laser card and received €100. Later it transpired that he had used the card at two other tills in the store and received €100 cash back on both occasions. A lady who had served the defendant pointed him out on CCTV. Another employee recalled the defendant from a previous occasion in December.

Garda Ryan subsequently received a telephone call from a female staff member, who was on foot behind Laledji. She met the Garda and identified him to her. Garda Ryan followed Mr Laledji and approached him on Merchant's Road. When she identified herself to him, he became aggressive, twisting her hand and pushing her up against a wall.

The Garda continued to follow Mr Laledji and saw him dropping something from his person. He then knocked over a child. Mr Laledji was apprehended at the bottom of Merchant's Road and Garda Ryan retrieved the Laser card. While in custody, the defendant said he had purchased the card in Dublin the previous day. It transpired that the card had been altered and related to another person's account.

The court heard that ten witnesses had been in court, including two independent witnesses from Dublin. When he had been informed of this, the defendant changed his plea to guilty. Evidence was adduced that the defendant had 28 previous convictions. Judge Mary Fahy noted, "He seems to have spent a significant amount of time in prison."

Mr Adrian MacLynn noted that his client had the balance of compensation (€100) in court. He added that his client had taken a successful case regarding his status in Ireland, due to the birth of an Irish-born child. The defendant has three children, including two born in Ireland.

"It's quite obvious that this man manipulated the situation," said Judge Fahy. "He pleaded guilty at the last minute, when he observed the witnesses in court. The Garda was carrying out her duty in a proper manner. The defendant knew she was a member of the Gardaí, but twisted her arm and pushed her up against a wall, as though she was of no importance. For him to do so was callous, in order to get away. At this stage of his criminal career, he should have known that he would be observed on CCTV."

Judge Fahy added, "He took someone's credit card, which is upsetting as well. Garda Ryan was on her own before she got assistance, but continued to bring the matter to a successful fruition and must be commended."

Recognisances were fixed for appeal purposes at €1,000 (self) and €3,500 (independent surety).


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