Job saves man found with stolen copper from jail

The fact that a man got himself a job saved him from jail yesterday on charges of handling €2,500 worth of stolen copper sheeting.

Judge Olann Kelleher said at Cork District Court: “I am going to give you a chance to avoid the sentence because you are working — that is the only reason.”

Stephen Varian was before the court for sentencing in two cases. He also had the re-entry of a suspended jail sentence of four months for obstructing a police officer and engaging in threatening behaviour.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said the defendant had been working since June and was doing well at the moment living at home.

Inspector Pat Meaney said that Garda John Harrington stopped a vehicle on Gordon’s Hill, Cork, on June 10, 2013, and discovered it was carrying €2,500 worth of stolen copper sheeting.

The driver was arrested as was the passenger, Varian.

Varian, who is in his early 20s and from 141 Farranferris Avenue, Cork, also was caught with a quantity of cannabis for his own use on August 23 last year.

Judge Kelleher imposed a new suspended sentence of five months from yesterday. Varian was also ordered to do 240 hours of community service for theft and handling stolen property. He was fined €300 on the cannabis charge.