Northern Ireland

London men deny raids on Apple Store in Belfast

The High Court in Belfast
The High Court in Belfast The High Court in Belfast

THREE men from London allegedly stole thousands of pounds worth of equipment during raids on an Apple Store in Belfast, the High Court has heard.

One of the men claims he travelled over for a university open day, while his two co-accused said they were in the city to sample its nightlife.

Disputing prosecution submissions that Omar Hussein, Ibrahim Mohamed and Sharmaarke Ismail carried out a planned and sophisticated operation, a defence barrister portrayed the trio as academic high achievers who have never previously been in trouble.

"They are three impressive individuals with no records who have got themselves in a world of pain by coming to Belfast," said Declan Quinn.

Hussein (19) of Sumner Gardens, Mohamed (20) from Brooke Drive in Lambeth and Ismail (19) of Berne Road, Croydon, are all charged with theft from the Apple Store at Victoria Square on September 28.

Goods valued at £1,565, £1,412, and £1,263 were allegedly stolen during two separate incidents.

Mohamed is further accused of going equipped for theft with a high-strength magnet, and criminal damage to a coat in a nearby Cruise store.

Ismail faces a separate count of stealing a £220 scarf from that shop.

Crown lawyer Natalie Pinkerton said the three men were arrested near the Victoria Square retail centre after police viewed CCTV footage.

Searches allegedly recovered a range of Apple products, including wireless headphone sets and disc drives.

During interviews Mohamed denied the thefts, claiming he had bought the goods found on him on Gumtree.

Granting bail to all three accused, the judge ordered them to live at addresses approved by police and banned any contact with each other.