A SWORDS man who stole a games console and an iPod and was later caught interfering with an impounded bike at the rear of a garda station has been remanded until January. Michael Cummins, Cherry Park, River Valley, who has 95 previous convictions, appeared before Judge Brian Joseph Sheridan at Swords District Court last week.

Cummins had pleaded guilty to the theft of a Playstation Portable from Gamestop in Santry and the theft of a silver iPod, worth € 229.99 from HMV in the Pavilions. He was also charged with entering a building with intent to commit an offence at Swords Garda Station, engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place and failing to comply with garda directions.

Outlining the facts of the case in June, Sgt Paul Madden had told the court the first incident had occurred in April at Omni Shopping Centre in Santry.

'The defendant entered a shop and took a Playstation Portable, worth € 199, and left without paying,' Sgt Madden said. 'He was identified on CCTV and was arrested and taken to Whitehall Garda Station. The property was not recovered. 'Two males were found in a yard at the rear of Swords Garda Station at 2.35am. The defendant was caught interfering with a motorbike, which had been impounded by gardaí. They gained entry by climbing over a fence.' Judge Sheridan had noted it was ' not the brightest thing to be doing'. Sgt Madden told the court Cummins had 95 previous convictions and had been disqualified from driving for 15 years for the unauthorised taking of a vehicle in 2007. The 23-year-old defendant had also been handed six, nine and 10 month sentences that year for a number of offences.

Cummins' solicitor had told the court his client's convictions had dated back to the age of 15, adding he was single, living with his mother and supporting his two-year-old child.

'He left school at 15 and developed difficulties with tablets,' the solicitor had said. ' He received his first sentence when he was 16 and during that time, his father died and the situation deteriorated.

'His girlfriend has warned him he will not have any more contact with her or their child unless he changes his ways.'

Judge

Sheridan asked for a probation report to be compiled to see if Cummins would be suitable for community service and adjourned the case.

Last week, a probation report was presented in court and the defendant's solicitor made an application for a further remand. A letter was handed in which was 'at odds' with what was contained in the report, while the solicitor asked for 'one more chance', adding Cummins hadn't been contacted by the Probation Service since the last date in court. Judge Sheridan adjourned the case until Wednesday, January 18th for mention. 'The defendant was highly intoxicated and was found staggering along the middle of the roadway,' Sgt Madden said.

'He then refused to give his name and address to gardai when approached. He has no previous convictions.' Conneely told the court he was working part-time. Judge Sheridan noted it was his first offence and awarded the Probation Act.