10 months jail for man under the 'heavy yoke' of addiction

A BALLYMENA man has been jailed for a total of 10 months for burglary and theft offences.

John Monroe (28), of no fixed abode, carried out the offences “under the heavy yoke” of his drug addiction, his legal representative told Ballymena Magistrates Court.

Monroe admitted a series of offences from September 10, including the burglary of a house in Cullybackey and theft of perfume, cash and a mobile phone, as well as a number of theft-related offences in July and August.

blighted

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Barrister Andrew Moriarty said a probation report compiled on the defendant “paints a picture of someone who unfortunately is operating under a very heavy yoke of addiction”.

Monroe’s dependency is “something that has blighted his progress as a human being for a number of years”.

“There is absolutely no gloss to be put on this whatsoever.

“We are not talking about someone who is a clear-thinking, rational human being. His mind is addled at the best of times but once the craving is that high, he just goes out and does these stupid things,” added Mr Moriarty.

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