One-year term for role in fast food robbery
Sentencing was deferred until yesterday to give Michael Stryczek of O’Connell St, Blackpool, Cork, a chance to gather compensation after €13,695 was stolen from the fast food outlet. None was forthcoming.
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Séan Ó Donnabháin said the accused had looked a gift horse in the mouth by coming to court with nothing. Stryczek was warned in April to provide substantial compensation or be jailed.
Ray Boland, defending, said Stryczek had not been able to provide compensation. He said every time the accused got a part-time job the employer Googled him, saw he had pleaded guilty to this offence, and let him go straight away.
Sgt Katrine Tansley said a co-accused had raised over €8,000 in compensation and planned to raise €1,500 more. He was previously given a suspended sentence.
The co-accused had been a manager at a Hillbilly’s outlet and left his job because of a row over pay. Two weeks later, the premises was burgled. The accused were identified by CCTV.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said that in the circumstances a sentence of three years, with the last two years suspended, was appropriate.
