Northern Ireland

Son of murder victim sentence for robbing clothes shop

Two men have been handed six-year sentences for robbing a clothes shop
Two men have been handed six-year sentences for robbing a clothes shop Two men have been handed six-year sentences for robbing a clothes shop

TWO west Belfast men who robbed a clothes shop in the Park Centre have both been handed six-year sentences.

Ryan Devlin (21) from Spamount Street and 31-year old Joseph Duffy, from Whiterock Gardens, were told they will serve half their sentence in prison, with the remaining three years on licence, for the "opportunistic offence."

As they pair tried to flee the Park Centre on a stolen motorbike, security staff closed the gates and they were apprehended by police in the car park. Both the money stolen from the till, and items taken from the shop, were recovered.

Belfast Crown Court heard that during the robbery, Devlin - whose father Gerard was murdered in February 2006 - produced a knife which he used to threaten staff. Jailing the pair, Judge David McFarland said the incident would have been a "frightening experience" for staff and members of the public going about their business.

Prior to sending Duffy and Devlin to jail, Judge McFarland was told by a Crown prosecutor that the pair targeted the New Look store at around 7.50pm on October 7, 2016. They arrived at the park centre on a motorcycle that had been stolen the day before.

While Devlin made his way to the till area where he produced a knife, Duffy walked to another part of the store and stole items including handbags.

The court heard Duffy was aware he would be taking part in a robbery but denied knowing a knife would be used until it was produced by his co-accused.

A scuffle ensued as the pair left the shop with money and stolen goods and two security guards were assaulted. As the pair tried to flee the Park Centre complex, staff closed the outer security gates. Devlin drove the bike onto a footpath, where he did a wheelie - which caused both him and Duffy to fall off the bike.

Police arrived at the scene and the pair were arrested. It later emerged that Devlin was a banned driver and whilst in custody he failed a breath test. He also "lunged" at Tramadol tablets which were seized from him during the arrest and which he tried to swallow.

A Crown prosecutor said Devlin appeared before the court with 77 previous convictions, while Duffy has amassed 79.

The prosecutor also said both men were under the influence of drink and/or drugs, the offences was "unsophisticated but still required a degree of planning" and that it "descended into a chaotic scene" in the car park as the pair tried to escape.

It was added by the Crown that the use of a knife would have caused fear and "members of the public were clearly impacted by this."

Joe Brolly, the barrister representing Duffy, said CCTV footage of the event showed his client played a "lesser role". Pointing out Duffy was not armed and did not issue threats, Mr Brolly also said it was clear from watching him staggering around outside the store that he was "heavily intoxicated."

Mr Brolly told Judge McFarland that his client was "brought up in poverty", was exposed to domestic violence from an early age, and had a very unsettled childhood.

John O'Connor, representing Devlin, said his client "witnessed the murder of his father when he was very very young ... and as a result of that, the entire family - through no fault of their own - became involved almost in a feud. All the children were caught up in it."

Mr O'Connor said Devlin started using drugs aged 13, and in March 2011 sustained a very significant head wound when he was beaten with baseball bats, which the barrister said had a direct link to his offending.

Regarding the offence itself, Devlin's barrister said that despite having "little recollection due to intoxication", he "recognised the fear he engendered and is ashamed of his actions."