Man who returned stolen ring receives four years

A convicted robber who returned a wedding ring to his neighbour after he had stolen it from his house some weeks previously has been sentenced to four years in prison for the burglary.

Keith Smith (aged 33), who has 138 previous convictions, broke into the family home while they were on holiday. He told gardaí that he stole the ring, a laptop, €350 in communion money, Stg £100, three watches, three leather jackets and a Nintendo DS, in order to feed his €1,000 a day crack cocaine habit.

He said as soon as he had come down from his high he called to his neighbour to return the ring because he "felt bad about it".

Smith of Slievemore Road, Driminagh, also stole the couple’s cheque book and later used it to withdraw €300 from the their account.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary and to using a false instrument, namely a cheque, with the intent of inducing another to believe it was genuine in order to make a gain for himself on dates in July 2007.

Judge Frank O’Donnell described it as a "pathetic case" and one that was heartbreaking for Smith’s four children after hearing evidence from Detective Garda Michael Fitzgerald that when the accused is not on drugs he "really does his best for his family".

He suspended the last 19 months of the sentence on strict conditions before he added: "I have all the sympathy in the world for your children."

Det. Garda Fitzgerald told prosecuting counsel Mr Pieter Le Vert BL, that Smith’s convictions included three jail terms for robbery but were mostly for road traffic, theft and fraud offences.

Mr Sean Gillane BL, defending, asked Judge O’Donnell to give Smith "moral credit" for returning "the most valuable and personal item" to his neighbours.

He said he had knuckled down since going into custody and there was "some hope for his future".