Teen given a chance by local sports club

21 September 2016

A TEENAGER who burgled a shop in Downpatrick has been given a life-line.

Christopher Lynch (19), currently in youth custody in Hydebank, was due to face another custodial sentence for the incident in Jen’s Interiors on Scotch Street.

Lynch was one of three men who entered the shop on August 4 last year and stole a wallet from a back counter during an attempt to distract the shopkeeper, who ran after the men. Cash of £200, bank cards and keys were stolen. CCTV was examined in a nearby shop and an identification made.

A three-month sentence was imposed to run consecutively to Lynch’s current time at Hydebank. However, at an appeals hearing at Downpatrick Court on Friday, a defence lawyer urged that the sentence run concurrently, meaning he could be released by December.

Mr McAlinden said his client was hoping to get on to a technical college course.

The lawyer then brought John Wade, from Downpatrick Cricket Club, to the stand to tell the court that the club was ready to provide Lynch with employment should he be released in December.

Mr Wade said the club offered many placements to young people in education and training. He said he was aware of Lynch’s issues.

“We get many people like Christopher come through,” he said. “We are there to help. It is on a voluntary basis. We will give him a chance.”

He added: “We hope to have him and many more. Christmas, it is a very busy time for us…there is much work to be done.”

Judge Crawford questioned whether Christmas time at the cricket club was an appropriate venue for Lynch.

“This is a man with alcohol problems,” she said.

However, she said she would allow Lynch to leave Hydebank by December and adjourn sentencing on the Scotch Street burglary until March.

She said this would demonstrate the extent of his “commitment to change”.

As part of the conditions, he is to avoid drugs, alcohol and is to work with Mr Wade.

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