Man stole perfume from Cork pharmacy to drink as alcohol substitute

Judge queried whether this indicated the defendant had a 'serious problem' to which his solicitor replied: 'I suspect there is'

Wed, 15 Nov, 2023 - 15:00

Noel Baker

A man who stole a bottle of perfume from a pharmacy drank it as a substitute for alcohol.

Vladimir Suncev, a Russian now living in Skibbereen, West Cork, admitted the offence as he pleaded guilty at Skibbereen District Court to a charge of theft.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Judge John King gardaí had received a call from James Hamilton of Hamilton’s pharmacy in Skibbereen on November 24 last year, claiming property worth €44.99 had been taken from the store.

Gardaí checked CCTV footage and identified Mr Suncev, of Flat 1, Regal Estate in Skibbereen, as the offender.

The court heard the man had made certain admissions when interviewed subsequently by gardaí.

The court also heard Mr Suncev had two previous convictions — one for a public order offence and the other for having had possession of a realistic imitation firearm in a public place.

The man’s solicitor, Flor Murphy, told the judge Mr Suncev was a divorced father-of-two whose children were living in Lithuania. He has been living in Ireland for 10 years and more recently for five years in Skibbereen, Mr Murphy said.

The court also heard Mr Suncev was in receipt of a disability payment.

Mr Murphy said: “The perfume was stolen and was used as a substitute for alcohol.”

Judge King queried whether this indicated the defendant had a “serious problem”, to which Mr Murphy replied: “I suspect there is.”

The court was told Mr Suncev had worked as a fisherman but now had a stomach complaint which was related to his disability.

“A stomach complaint?” Judge King said. “I wonder why.”

He ordered a probation report be prepared and that it be submitted to the court on January 23 next, when the matters of compensation and penalty will also be finalised.