Robber had 'MUG' written on forehead

A drug addicted robber who held up a chip shop after "MUG" was written across his forehead while he was asleep at a party has today been given a suspended sentence and work to do in the community.

David Levins (aged 27) was arrested nearby by gardaí who identified him from the writing on his forehead.

Levins, of Sheephill Green, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing the chipper on May 15, 2006. He also pleaded guilty to robbery and theft from a supermarket in Corduff shopping centre on May 12 and 15, 2006.

Judge Katherine Delahunt noted that a probation report before the court, which she had ordered at the sentence hearing last November, showed that Levins had addressed both his substance abuse and literacy problems.

"You are now considered to be at a moderate risk of re-offending and the probation service are happy to engage with you," Judge Delahunt told Levins before she sentenced him to three years in prison which she suspended on strict conditions.

She also ordered that he carry out 200 hours community service "to ensure that you pay back to the community some of the damage you caused" before Judge Delahunt warned Levins she would have "no hesitation in reactivating the sentence" should he come to garda attention again.

Garda Kieron Campbell told Mr Patrick McGrath BL, prosecuting, that Levins grabbed money from the till and threatened staff at Maxworth supermarket with a knife on May 12 and returned to steal from the store again on May 15 when he grabbed money from the till after he distracted staff.

Gda Campbell said later that night Levins jumped over the counter of Romano's chipper in Clonsilla and robbed seven cans of Sprite. Gardaí identified and arrested Levins nearby after they observed him carrying the drinks.

Levins, who has five previous convictions, admitted involvement in all the crimes.

Defence counsel, Mr Pieter Le Vert, said Levins had fallen asleep at a party on the night of his arrest and while he was asleep someone had written "MUG" across his forehead.

Levins, who had been drinking and using drugs, became paranoid on waking that someone was after him and said "foreigners" in the chipper were abusing him.

He said Levins had been recognised by staff during the earlier offence as it was his local supermarket.

Mr Le Vert said Levins was abusing drugs at the time of the offences when he was going through a difficult period in his life. He said Levins had "turned himself around" and was doing well despite a brief relapse into drug use last December.