Serial thief who smoked heroin in phone box avoids prison

Ryan McCormack stole more than £1,000 worth of goods from retailers and a charity collection box from a shopping centre to feed his addiction.

The 30-year-old, of Colvil Street in the city, was given an eight-month suspended jail sentence.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard McCormack took electrical products valued at £388 from Tesco on the Castlereagh Road on April 21.

In a separate series of thefts, he stole drill equipment worth more than £500 from a motor parts trader in January and February this year.

Further thefts included £150 in tanning products from a branch of Boots, and nearly £100 worth of alcohol from other stores.

Prosecutors said McCormack also went into the Connswater Shopping Centre on April 20, put a three-foot tall NSPCC charity box in his trolley and exited.

He was arrested on Saturday after police were alerted to a suspected drug-taking incident in a phone box on the Holywood Road.

McCormack was spotted holding burnt tin foil, with another piece in his mouth.

“He stated that he had smoked heroin,” a Crown lawyer added.

McCormack pleaded guilty to charges of theft and possessing Class A drugs.

Defence solicitor Joe Hackett told the court all of the offences were committed to fund his client’s habit.

“His life spiralled out of control when he developed a chronic addiction to heroin,” Mr Hackett said.

Imposing a total sentence of eight months, District Judge George Conner suspended the term for 18 months.

He warned McCormack: “If there’s any further thieving it’s inevitable you will be going into custody for a considerable period of time.”