Gloved ‘dog-owner’ fined for theft attempt

Tuesday 15 October 2019

A 28-year-old has been fined after attempting to steal a woman’s mobile phone from her unlocked car while wearing a pair of surgical rubber gloves, which he claimed were for picking up after his dog.

James Leslie Keenan appeared in the Magistrate's Court last week to be sentenced for the attempted theft from the unlocked vehicle, which was parked in the road.

Legal Adviser Simon Crowder, appearing for the prosecution, explained that the incident took place in August. The car was parked just outside the owner’s house when her son-in-law noticed Keenan in the vehicle, which had been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition.

The court heard that the woman’s son-in-law went outside, “detained the defendant and called the Police."

Pictured: The keys to the unlocked car were left in the ignition.

The Court was told that Keenan had been wearing a pair of “surgical rubber gloves” and that he “removed those when he saw [the son-in-law] approaching”.

The man then recovered his mother-in-law’s mobile phone from Keenan before the Police arrived to arrest him.

In interview, Keenan told officers that the gloves were for “when he clears up after his dog".

Representing Keenan, Advocate Alison Brown – the lawyer on duty – said that “he was compliant throughout this whole process” and emphasised that “no property has been lost” and there was “no damage to the car” as a result of her client’s actions.

“This is a man with lots of personal difficulties,” Advocate Brown urged, adding that Keenan had recently been released from prison and “is working very hard to re-establish himself".

Pictured: His lawyer explained that Keenan has recently been released from prison and is working to re-establish himself.

Explaining that he has enrolled on a foundation course in painting and decorating – which is why he had the rubber gloves on the evening in question – Advocate Brown also spoke of her client’s various struggles with addiction.

Keenan had previously appeared in Court regarding these offences, attempting to represent himself, but the Magistrate deemed him unfit to plead at the time due to the fact he was on new medication which was affecting his judgment. 

Magistrate Bridget Shaw, presiding, decided to fine Keenan for the offence, advising him that he is involved with all the agencies who can help him and that the Probation Service is “always available” on a voluntary basis.

She then ordered Keenan to pay £250 for the attempted theft.