Man who repeatedly stole groceries took ‘casual attitude’ to self-service tills, court hears

Nicolae Plesca (39) walked out without paying for his weekly shop, carrying out “the same trick” four times before he was caught.

Judge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation Act, leaving him without convictions after he paid compensation.

Plesca, a construction worker from Achill Road, Drumcondra, pleaded guilty to stealing groceries and clothes in four thefts at Tesco, Clarehall earlier this year.

Dublin District Court heard he went to the shop and stole €112 worth of groceries on April 2, €150 worth of goods on April 9, €97 worth on April 16 and €119 worth on April 23.

The court heard the goods were not recovered in the first three thefts but he was stopped in the fourth. Plesca had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Matthew Kenny said Plesca was using the self-service tills and made some efforts to scan his bank card, and to bring staff over before he left.

He conceded he was “far from certain he had paid for the goods”, Mr Kenny said.

He said Plesca had taken a “rather casual attitude” to his interactions in the shop.

The accused should “simply have left if there was a problem with the machines,” Mr Kenny added.

The value of goods was €479 but €119 of that was recovered, so the total loss was €370.

“You went back to the shop on a number of occasions and did the same trick on each occasion,” Judge Kelly said.