Left restaurant without paying

A Dublin man who left a restaurant without making a payment of a €70 bill was charged with theft.

His legal representative told the defendant’s card wasn’t working on the day when Martin Maughan with an address at The Ward appeared at Tuesday’s sitting of Trim District Court.He said the defendant went back to the premises and made good the debt within 40 minutes.

Court Presenter, Sergeant Cathal Brady said he didn’t think “it’s the first time. I think it’s a strategy.”

The Sergeant outlined that the defendant had 43 previous convictions, of which 13 were for theft offences.

Judge Stephanie Coggans marked the facts proven and dismissed the charge, remarking she would give the defendant this chance.