40th conviction for teenage dad

A teenage father of one, who is a recovering heroin addict and has spent the last four years involved in drug-fuelled petty thefts, has attained his 40th criminal conviction.

The 18-year-old north inner city teen pleaded guilty to the theft of a woman’s purse which took place when he was 17 and still a juvenile.

Judge Catherine Murphy was told at the Dublin Children’s Court that on May 7 last he had approached a woman sitting on the Liffey boardwalk and stolen her purse. He then fled across the Ha’penny Bridge but had been spotted by a plainclothes detective who was able to identify him.

Garda Mark Pender then outlined how the boy had a criminal record of 39 previous convictions dominated by thefts.

In November 8, 2001, at the age of 14, he was convicted of his first offence, for larceny.

Judge Murphy said the teen may now be a suitable candidate to be dealt with by the Drugs Court, given his chronic addiction problems.

The court heard that during his latest sentence, he had used his time in custody to “detox” and left the detention centre clean of drugs. He hoped with the support of his mother to secure a placement on a rigorous three-month drug addiction treatment programme.

The judge told him that his type of offending left a mark on his victims, who were mostly women. She told him how his actions could have left people terrified and feeling insecure and vulnerable.

“I’m going to treatment. I’m on a waiting list for proper treatment and counselling on what led me to where I am today. I don’t realise what I’m doing when I’m strung out of my head. That’s why I’m willing to go to treatment,” the teenager said, who added that he wanted to help bring up his young child.

Judge Murphy remanded him on bail for sentencing in May pending a urine analysis report. He was also ordered to obey a nightly curfew compelling him to remain indoors at his home nightly.

Earlier, the court heard that when the boy reached the age of 13 he “went off the deep end and became involved in crime”.

“His mother has tried her utmost but this is where he finds himself now,” the court had been told at an earlier hearing.

He was diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder when he was seven years old, but his parents found little help available for their son’s behavioural and learning problems.

The boy’s parents then separated and while still in his early teens he started to take cocaine and tablets. He then committed a crime spree of thefts and joyriding offences.