Man with 223 previous convictions facing jail for handling stolen goods

Man with 223 previous convictions facing jail for handling stolen goods

10 May 2017

A DOWNPATRICK man with 223 previous convictions may be facing jail after being convicted of receiving stolen goods and attempted criminal damage.

Sean Anthony Fitzsimons, of Kennedy Square, denied throwing a rock at the window of a house at Saul Street on June 3 and receiving a stolen iPad mini on an unknown date between May 30 and June 6.

During a part-heard contest at Downpatrick Court on Thursday, he denied an earlier account of an eye witness who said saw the defendant throw the rock.

“It wasn’t me,” said Fitzsimons.

Fitzsimons also claimed the iPad mini, which was found in a bedside cabinet in his house, had been left behind by a woman after a house party.

However, District Judge Greg McCourt said the eye witness had given “straight forward evidence without any vagueness”.

“He was quite certain he identified the defendant when the hood slipped down,” he said.

“He said he knew the defendant from the past and he did not try to gild his evidence in any way.”

Mr McCourt also rejected suggestion that the defendant did not realise the iPad was stolen, describing his version of events as a “fantastic tale”.

“In my mind, he knew fine rightly it was stolen and was going to use it in some shape or form,” he said.

A defence lawyer said it was understood the defendant’s liberty was now in jeopardy and requested a pre-sentence report before the next hearing on June 29.