A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in jail after he was convicted of a “litany” of crimes at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

Appearing via videolink from Maghaberry Prison, Damien Crudden of Drimshancorick Road, Drumgoast, Rosslea was convicted of 26 charges relating to five separate incidents.

The first charge of fraud by self representation took place in June, 2019.

Kitchen

The court heard the injured party had contacted Crudden to get some work done on her kitchen and when he called to her house in June he said it would cost £1,000 and he took a £600 deposit.

However, there was no further word from Crudden despite attempts to contact him. He was interviewed in November, 2019 and said he would be carrying out the work and had taken a £500 deposit. He said he and his wife were sick and had planned on doing it later. He said that he had deposited the deposit in the bank and later bought paint for the work with it.

On August 18, 2019 Crudden is charged with four counts of theft.

Crudden, wearing a Dublin GAA top, entered the Mace store in Ederney on three occasions, twice putting a bottle of vodka down his trousers before leaving without paying. On the third occasion Koppaberg cider, a bar of chocolate and cigarettes were taken.

Two days later on August 20, Crudden went into Mahon’s Hotel in Irvinestown and ordered a pint, starter and main course which he consumed before leaving without making any attempt to pay. Police were called and Crudden was identified on CCTV. When interviewed he said he had been drinking most of the day and had no recollection.

Between September 8, 2019 and October 29,2019 Crudden is charged with five counts of theft. He stole alcohol from SuperValu and McAleer’s in Irvinestown and also from Swift’s in Rosslea.

On October 24, 2019 police in Irvinestown were flagged down by a member of the public who said the key to their Ford Transit had been taken and the van was gone.

It was detected driving along the Tullyreagh Road, Tempo and it was involved in a collision with a telegraph pole. Contractors helped Crudden recover the van before he continued on his way. He pulled into a farmer’s yard to look for help with van and took the farmer’s BMW without permission crossing the border into Monaghan.

Two days later the BMW was spotted in Newtownbutler where Crudden was arrested and charged with using a motor vehicle without insurance x 2, Unaccompanied L Driver x 2, driving without due care and attention, Criminal Damage x 2 and Theft of Vehicle x 2 .

Failed to stop

The final incident took place on March 8, 2020 in Strabane. A member of the public reported that her car had been hit on the passenger side by a red Ford Transit which failed to stop.

The injured party said the driver of the van was drunk in demeanour and took down the van’s details.

It was later spotted in Omagh and Crudden was arrested and charged with failing to stop and report an Injury Accident, driving without due care and attention, no driving licence and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

When interviewed he admitted he was in Strabane on the day of the collision and he could have been the only one driving but he did not remember a crash.

Described by District Judge Steven Keown as “a litany of offences”, Crudden’s barrister Stephen Fitzpatrick accepted that there was no getting away from that and Crudden was ashamed by his behaviour.

Commenting on the difficulties Crudden has in his life and addiction to alcohol, Mr. Fitzpatrick said there are many people who suffer like that but do not behave like Crudden. He said the 42 year old accepts he needs to address the issues when he is eventually released from custody

Mr. Fitzpatrick said the offences were very serious but were of very limited sophistication and Crudden was under the influence of alcohol when they took place and added that Crudden reflect on the addiction he suffers from. He hoped that custody would be a final lesson to address the issues along with the support of his family and while it was a serious case there had been some progress.

Judge Keown said the offences were outrageous and the custody threshold had been passed. He hoped that when this is all finished Crudden can provide for his family and contribute to society because if he doesn’t he will be back in jail or have ill health.

Handing down a six month sentence, a two year driving ban and ordering restitution be paid, Judge Keown told Crudden that it is a matter for himself how he deals with his life after his release.