Man admits stealing bike off a woman who was waiting outside a shop with her sleeping children

A man who stole a bike from a woman waiting outside a shop with her sleeping children has been jailed for eight months. 

Richard McAleer (22) of Loughsallagh, Clonee, Co. Meath, pleaded guilty to theft at Lower Liffey Street, Dublin on November 10, 2019.

Evidence was heard in court that the victim was waiting outside a shop with her two young children, who were asleep, when she spotted McAleer getting on her bike.

She said “that’s my bike”, but McAleer insisted it was his.

When the victim put her hands on the handlebars, McAleer’s demeanour changed and he pulled his arm back, making a closed fist.

The victim screamed and her husband and another man emerged from a shop.

McAleer dropped the bike, then fled the scene.

He was arrested a short time later by gardai and found to be in a highly intoxicated state.

When interviewed, McAleer expressed remorse and apologised to the victim.

McAleer said he thought the bike had no owner, and did not know it belonged to the victim.

He also told gardai that he was not going to hit the victim, but wanted to shake her hand.

McAleer has a number of convictions including 12 for theft and six for criminal damage.

He is currently serving  a three-month sentence on a separate matter.

Judge Martin Nolan was told that no victim impact statement was made.

However, a section of the victim’s statement was read to the court.

She described the experience as “very frightening”.

She said she had been afraid McAleer would hit her and she would “never forget his face”.

The defence barrister said McAleer has a difficult family background and suffers from mental health issues.

McAleer also has addiction issues and started drinking at the age of ten.

He became homeless at a young age and has been in and out of custody.

Judge Nolan said the defendant had confronted the victim and frightened her.

He said McAleer had a “long history of offending” but accepted that he did not get a “great start in life” and was remorseful for his actions.

Judge Nolan said the defendant “needs some help” and imposed a 20-month sentence, with time already served on this charge to be taken into account.

Judge Nolan suspended the final 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions.