Teen spent €20k on drugs, a bed, gambling, and a Playstation

A teenager who had “an incredible temptation presented to him” when his former employer mistakenly lodged almost €20,000 into account has been jailed for theft.

Karl Smith, aged 19, was due to get €196.36 for two days work with Industrial Insulation Specialists but €19,639 was lodged when the decimal point was put in the wrong place during the bank transfer.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Smith was anxiously awaiting his wages and was “flabbergasted” when he rang his bank to check his balance.