TWO thieves dubbed "Dim
and Dimmer" were given six month sentences today for
a drug-fuelled raid on an Inishowen petrol station.
Steven Smith (22) of Bradley Park in Derry and Mark
Villa (18) from Marianus Park, Derry, appeared at
Carndonagh District Court where they admitted
robbing a petrol station in the border village of
Muff last Saturday.
The court heard the defendants “were high” on
Diazapam or "blues" when they robbed Donaghey's
forecourt kiosk shortly before 7pm. Smith brandished
a pen knife while Villa wielded a heavy chain
grabbed from the counter. Both were unmasked.
Two male attendants aged 16 and 21 were "threatened
with extreme violence" and forced to hand over €320
and £350stg, the court heard.
The defendants ordered them to hand over their
mobile phones but after appeals to keep them, the
raiders agreed. This allowed the victims to
immediately call gardaí after the men escaped in a
car parked outside.
A chase over three town lands ensued with gardaí
assisted by a number of locals. An hour-long chase
continued into fields and across a river after the
car crashed.
The court heard that the driver of the vehicle and
his front seat passenger knew nothing about the
defendants' intentions to rob the premises. They
were subsequently released without charge.
Defence solicitor Ciaran MacLochlainn told the court
that his clients' escapade "wasn't the brightest".
"You've heard of Dumb and Dumber, here you have Dim
and Dimmer," said Mr MacLochlainn. He said the
defendants, both single and unemployed, were
“extremely remorseful” for the incident.
In a victim impact statement, proprietor David
Donaghey said his attendants were "still traumatised
and fearful". The court heard that while the euro
sum had been recovered the Sterling sum was
"probably lying in a field". Garda Eddie Doherty
said both men had previous convictions in Derry for
burglary and assault. Villa was currently under
curfew while Smith was wearing an electronic tag.
Judge Paul Kelly said it was “an appalling crime”.
He imposed six months' jail on Smith and six months'
detention on Villa. Recognisance in the event of an
appeal was set. |
