Gun attack survivor jailed over mobile phone theft

Lee Whelan claimed he had no memory of carrying out the theft on Tuesday as he exited a cab in Belfast.

But a district judge rejected suggestions that the 23-year-old could be given a chance on a substance misuse initiative because of his addiction to drugs.

Fiona Bagnall insisted: “It’s not a ticket to be allowed to re-offend.”

Whelan, of Duncairn Parade, admitted the theft of an iPhone X valued at £500, and making off without paying an £8 fare.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard Whelan had been picked up and taken to a house in the Antrim Road area.

He snatched the phone, got out and ran off into a nearby house without offering any payment.

Police called to the scene found the stolen item on Whelan, according to the prosecution.

Defence solicitor Ciaran Toner said: “He has absolutely no recollection of this incident.”

The lawyer submitted that Whelan had been badly shaken by an incident last weekend.

“Mr Whelan was shot at on Sunday night and then fell into a fence trying to escape,” he said. “Police are trying to get to the bottom of that, but he sustained serious leg injuries.

“Whatever happened on Sunday seems to have really rocked him.”

In a previous incident Whelan had to be resuscitated after being found in a house, the court was told.

“Unfortunately his girlfriend died; they were both addicted to drugs,” the solicitor added.

Mrs Bagnall stressed: “It does not give any excuse for taking a man’s phone and making off without payment.”

Imposing six months imprisonment, she ordered Whelen to serve a further four months from an earlier suspended sentence.