'Thank God I never drink from the mini-bar,' judge said after hearing bill for Cork hotel was €448

Accused drank the contents of the mini-bar at The Dean in Cork but was unable to pay the bill, court heard

The defendant stayed at The Dean hotel in Cork on July 8 and consumed the contents of the mini-bar in his room but failed to pay for them, court told.

“Thank God I never drink from the mini-bar,” a judge said after hearing drinking all of the bottles that were in one of them in a hotel room left the guest owing €448.

Efforts made by The Dean hotel in Cork to get the 30-year-old to pay for what he drank proved unsuccessful.

Timmy Saubolle, of The Green, Tír Cluain, Mill Road, Midleton, Co Cork, was prosecuted for a theft-related offence in respect of the matter and he pleaded guilty to that at Cork District Court.

Judge Philip O’Leary said he would adjourn sentencing to give Mr Saubolle time to pay the bill.

However, the 30-year-old said he would not be able to pay the bill as he was supporting four children.

Judge O’Leary took into consideration previous convictions of the accused and sentenced him to four months in prison.

The defendant stayed at The Dean hotel on July 8 and consumed the contents of the mini-bar in his room but failed to pay for them.

When Judge O’Leary expressed surprise at the €448 total, the man spoke up to the judge saying: “A bottle that size is €45,” gesturing a relatively small size with his hands.

That was when the judge said he was glad he did not drink from the mini-bar himself.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the accused simply could not afford to make the payment now or in the future: “He came here ready to go into custody.”