A father-of-two who attempted three robberies in as many days in which he failed to steal any money has been jailed for five years.
Jamie McBride (19) of Melrose Lawn, Clonadalkin, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and three attempted robberies at locations in Dublin on dates between February 26, 2018 and April 1, 2018.
Judge Melaine Greally sentenced McBride to six years imprisonment, but suspended the final 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions.
Garda Mark Doyle told Fergal Foley BL, prosecuting, that on February 26, 2018, a woman was leaving a train station in the evening when McBride turned around, produced a weapon and demanded she hand over her handbag.
McBride used a bank card from the handbag to withdraw €596 from the woman’s account. All of the money was subsequently reimbursed to her by the bank.
The court heard that on March 30, 2018, McBride attempted to snatch a bag from another woman who resisted his attempt. McBride struck her up to 15 times with “a stick like object” causing her injuries to her hand.
The following day McBride threatened the cashier of a KFC drive-through with a knife and attempted to remove money from the register, but was unsuccessful.
He then entered a Ladbrokes bookmakers on the following day holding what looked like a firearm and presented the cashier with a bag. The cashier fled to safety and McBride once again failed to steal any money.
McBride has nine previous convictions, including convictions for dangerous driving and other road traffic offences. He is the father of two children from two separate relationships.
Judge Greally noted that McBride was having a challenging time in custody and his own conduct was not helping his situation. The court heard he is currently being held on a “punishment landing”.
She said the offences were aggravated by the use of weapons to threaten the victims and by the violence used against the woman who resisted the accused’s attempts to steal her bag.
Judge Greally said the case was mitigated by his pleas of guilty, his limited history of violent offending and his “extreme youth”. She said by reason of his age she was giving him more credit than he would otherwise receive.
