Teen may have to meet street crime victims face to face, judge says

A youth who tore a clump of hair from a woman's head during violent phone snatch in Dublin city-centre, has been told he could be expected to meet street crime victims face to face as part of a crime diversion plan.

The boy, aged 17, who has pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court to taking a HTC phone worth €480 from the 27-year-old woman, during a robbery on the evening of February 25 last at Beresford Place, in the city centre, was granted bail today.

The mugger's release from a period in custody on remand came despite objections, with one garda saying he believed the teen will continue to offend.

The youth is to face sentencing in September when an updated probation report is to be furnished to the court.

He was ordered to co-operate with the Probation Service and following their guidance Judge John O'Connor said that this included engaging in restorative justice work “involving possible meetings with victims of street crime”.

The judge said the youth, who must also attend addiction counselling and look for an educational placement, had a supportive family and deferring sentencing the judge said “it is in your hands”.

He also said the youth, who has already committed offences while on bail, had shown he was capable of getting into an educational course but warned that “if you mess up on this you know what happens”.

Garda Brian Graydon told the court that during the mugging the teenager “grabbed a female's phone, she was on it at the time, and he pulled it from her and caught a clump of her hair”.

The juvenile court has also heard that over two dates in May, and while he was on bail, he stole €1,255 worth of clothes – including designer hoodies – from shops in Dublin city-centre.

He also admitted trespassing at a woman's home in north inner city Dublin while he was being pursued by gardai on June 26 last when there was a warrant out for his arrest. He had entered through a door and ran through the house in a bid to avoid being caught.

He has also admitted breach of the peace and being intoxicated in public on another date.

Pending sentence, the teenager, who was accompanied to his hearing by family members, was also told that he must obey a curfew and stay out of Dublin city centre.