Judge expresses worry for Cork man jailed for having scissors hidden in his pants in supermarket

The court heard the vulnerable man 'was elated in prison to get three meals a day and somewhere to stay and have some structure in his day rather than sleeping in shopfronts'

The incident at the supermarket occurred at Lidl on Bishopstown Road, Cork. File picture: Denis Minihane

A judge expressed concern about a man who was causing a disturbance at a supermarket having a scissors concealed in his underpants.

Judge John King imposed a four-month prison sentence on David Johnson of no fixed address at Cork District Court for having the scissors, contrary to the Offensive Weapons Act.

While the young man pleaded guilty to the offence, his solicitor Eddie Burke said there was no question of the accusing brandishing it anyway during the disturbance and he only had it for opening packets of food and so forth.

The same defendant pleaded guilty to stealing €220 worth of clothing from Lifestyle Sports in Cork city centre on February 20. The incident at the supermarket occurred three days earlier at Lidl on Bishopstown Road, Cork.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said that following the arrest of David Johnson at Lidl he was searched later and found to have the scissors concealed in his underwear.

The judge made the sentence consecutive to a period of 11 months imposed on him recently for other offences. For the shoplifting, Judge King imposed a sentence of five months suspended from when he comes out of prison.

Mr Burke, solicitor, said the accused had certain challenges: “He does understand the difference between right and wrong but there is a lot he does not understand.

When he comes into town it is as if he wants to feel wanted by these people (who exercise an influence over him). He is certainly a very vulnerable person.

“He has an Asperger’s diagnosis. It is quite sad but he was elated in prison to get three meals a day and somewhere to stay and have some structure in his day rather than sleeping in shopfronts.” 

Judge King said: “I accept he is in a very difficult personal position at the moment. But the only one who can sort that out is himself. It is up to him to become motivated to change.” 

The judge directed that on his release he is to come under the direction of the probation service. “He has to become a working member of society if he wants to get through this,” Judge King said.