Cork teenager says he has no memory of being in stolen car

Accused was caught twice travelling in stolen cars, Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard

Accused said Cork Prison was a sad, lonely place to be. Picture: Dan Linehan

A teenager caught travelling twice in stolen cars first claimed he just took a spin to go and buy cannabis, but later said he had absolutely no memory of being in the car.

Judge Dermot Sheehan expressed some concern about the inconsistency of these positions but took the defendant’s youth and other mitigating factors into consideration as he imposed an overall sentence of one year on 18-year-old Scott Caulfield, of 221 Cathedral Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

He pleaded guilty to both offences of travelling in stolen cars. He denied other charges related to the incidents but these were later withdrawn by the prosecution when a jury failed to reach any verdict on the counts.

The two incidents of travelling in stolen cars occurred on November 3, and a week later on November 10, 2022.

First, it was a stolen vehicle with cloned licence plates, driven by someone else. It failed to stop. Gardaí were concerned but did not pursue the vehicle, which was later recovered.

Second, there was a trial where Scott Caulfield was a passenger in a vehicle with two others at O’Reilly’s garage, Watercourse Road, Cork.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said in his sentencing that again a cloned plate was used on the stolen car and others present “were involved in fairly significant criminality” and that the teenager took a lift.

“He was on bail at the time of this. He is a very young man. I note the probation report. They are concerned about him and say the risk of reoffending is very high.

“He is 18 now. He does seem to understand the seriousness of his position. His girlfriend [who wrote a letter on his behalf] would like him to have the opportunity to reform,” Judge Sheehan said.

Judge Sheehan imposed a sentence of 18 months on each count, with the last six months suspended. Account is to be taken of seven months spent in custody to date by the accused.

Defence senior counsel Seamus Roche said: “He was in the throes of addiction at the time. He has had a somewhat chequered career in dealing with the probation service. He started well but failed to maintain it. 

"He has made good progress in prison. He is doing woodwork, pottery, and music, and home economics. A feature of his presentation in the past has been substance abuse. He has little memory of the offending because he was intoxicated.

Judge Sheehan said: “He said he had a particular memory of going to Red Forge Road to buy cannabis. There is the concern about the inconsistencies of what he is saying.” 

In a letter written by the accused teenager himself, he stated: “I did not know it was wrong at the time. It is a sad, lonely place to be [Cork Prison]. I just want to get a job and start a family. I am lost without my girlfriend and family. This is a first and last time for me in the Cork Circuit Criminal Court.”