Cork man jailed on theft and shoplifting charges claims to have an awakening

The court was told the defendant started taking tablets and heroin after his father died when he was 13

Judge Dorgan imposed sentences of five months and four months consecutive, with the overall sentence backdated to August 13 as he has been in custody since that date. File picture: Dan Linehan

A 38-year-old man who admitted breaking in to two cars, stealing a wallet at a shop and shoplifting at another premises now claims he is having an awakening.

Judge Mary Dorgan sentenced Stephen Hornibrook of 17 Churchfield Place East, Cork, to a jail term of nine months at Cork District Court. The accused appeared in court by video link from prison.

He pleaded guilty to stealing a woman’s purse at the Second Glance charity shop on Watercourse Road, Cork, on August 11, shoplifting at Aldi in Blackpool, two days earlier, and using stolen debit cards from the purse on August 12. 

Finally, he admitted breaking in to two cars at Orchard Court, Blackpool, on August 12. The accused had 139 previous convictions, including 19 for criminal damage and 17 for theft.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said of the 38-year-old: “His troubles started when his father died and Stephen was only 13. 

He started taking tablets. He got into taking heroin. We know the ravages of that drug. 

"He is doing well in prison and is on a methadone treatment programme. He is hoping to do better. There is an awakening and he hopes to reduce his methadone. He was not in the best of minds when he was doing all these things in August.” 

Judge Dorgan imposed sentences of five months and four months consecutive, with the overall sentence backdated to August 13 as he has been in custody since that date.