'People being threatened to commit violence against others' to clear debts, says Cork judge

Mallow District Court was told that the defendant was 'at the bottom of ladder' and the stealing was in part an effort to clear the debt he owed

For the nine thefts the accused was convicted and sentenced to three months in prison on two counts, four months on three counts, five months on two counts, six months on one count and 10 months on one count with four months suspended for two years. File photo

Offenders who are indebted to criminals are being forced to commit criminal acts in order the pay off their debts, according to a district court judge.

Judge Colm Roberts presiding in Mallow District Court made the comments when dealing with the sentencing of a man with 156 previous convictions who was sentenced for a further 12 offences.