A West Belfast man who went on a £10,000 shoplifting spree to feed his crack cocaine habit narrowly avoided a prison sentence today.
Gavin Doole, 34, of Arundel Walk, was ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work along with an 18-month probation order after pleading guilty to 20 counts of theft.
Judge Desmond Marrinan said he was taking the “exceptional course” not to impose an immediate custodial sentence to allow Doole to get treatment for his drug addiction and rebuild his relationship with his four children.
