Man who stole Poppy Appeal charity box has over 160 previous convictions
A man with over 160 previous convictions who admitted stealing a Poppy Appeal charity box containing cash in Larne, has been jailed.
Mark Paul McClure (39), with an address listed as Victoria Street in Belfast but now of no fixed abode, was also in possession of a knife 'without good reason or lawful authority' in a public place, namely Larne Harbour Train Station.
The incident happened on November 7 this year.
The defendant appeared at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday via video link from prison where he had been on remand since November.
A prosecutor said security staff at the train station noticed the defendant had been "acting suspiciously" in the check-in hall and he lifted the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Box and took it to female toilets.
Staff located him in a cubicle. The defendant left and the collection box was found still intact on the floor beside the toilet.
When police searched the defendant he had a Stanley Knife tucked inside his waistband with spare blades in his pocket.
Police believed he was intending to use the knife to open the seal on the Poppy collection box.
They also had concerns about him being in a public place with a weapon.
The court was told the defendant had 163 previous convictions, 18 of which are for theft.
A defence solicitor said the box was recovered and although there had been money in the box there was no loss.
The lawyer said the incident was "quite unsavoury nevertheless". The solicitor said the defendant had been offence-free for 18 months.
He said the defendant had mental health issues and homelessness was the driving factor of the offences in November.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant had 163 previous convictions which was "appalling".
He said it is "always a nasty offence to steal a charity box" but "thankfully it appears there was no financial loss". The defendant was given a two months prison term.