Bray Courthouse. File photo.
A Dublin man has pleaded guilty to stealing a taxi after fleeing without paying a fare, Bray District Court has heard.
Ryan Spellman (19), of Balgaddy, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty at a sitting of Bray District Court to one count of theft.
Sergeant Mick Canavan told the court that on January 14 of this year, the accused arranged a taxi to take him from Tallaght Hospital to Rathnew. When the taxi arrived at its destination, Mr Spellman fled into a nearby apartment complex without paying the fare.
Gardaí were called to the scene and Mr Spellman was subsequently arrested.
The unpaid fare totalled €160.
The court heard that the defendant has 39 previous convictions.
Counsel for the defence, Ciara O’Brien BL, said her client is originally from Tallaght and has had a limited education, having dropped out of school after completing his Junior Certificate.
Ms O’Brien told the court that Mr Spellman was once a promising amateur boxer who competed at European level for Team Ireland, but was “high on drugs at the time” of the offence.
The court also heard that the defendant’s father is a taxi driver and that Mr Spellman is extremely remorseful for his actions on the night in question.
Judge Ramsey ordered that a probation report be prepared prior to sentencing.
Sgt Canavan noted that the Probation Service is currently experiencing a three-month backlog, and the matter was adjourned until a later date.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme