Teen mugged pizza-delivery man, then set dog on him

Sentencing of a 17-year-old boy who mugged a Chinese national and then set his dog on him, has been adjourned.

The teenager pleaded guilty at the Children’s Court earlier to robbery of a pizza-delivery man, at Dromheath Drive, in north Dublin, on October 21, 2006. He was aged 14 at the time.

Judge Bryan Smyth today adjourned sentencing the teen, who is on bail, until November after hearing that the defendant had started a placement in an addiction treatment centre.

Earlier in the case, the court had heard that that “alcohol was at the root of his offence”.

The victim was already in a state of distress having just had his car stolen and was then robbed by the teen, the court had heard. The boy has already paid €400 in compensation to his victim.

Garda Karen Ryan, of Blanchardstown station had said in evidence that the victim, a Chinese man, aged 25, had just had his vehicle stolen.

“His car was taken while he was doing a delivery. He was in a distressed state. Two males approached including the accused who had a dog with him.

“He took a bag containing €100 and a mobile phone. The dog he had with him was set on the injured party who was bitten on his leg,” she said.

She had also said the boy, a first-time offender, was intoxicated at the time. However, she had agreed that he regretted his actions and had shown sympathy for his victim.

In mitigation the court heard that the boy had been taking part in a training course and his parents had been extremely supportive in his efforts.

As conditions of his bail he has been ordered to follow the guidance of his probation officer and attend an alcohol abuse awareness course.