A prolific Swindon thief has been returned to prison after committing his 78th theft.
Unluckily for Michael McDonagh, a police dog unit was first to respond to reports of a man stealing £250 cash from a car left unattended on a driveway in the early hours of Saturday (23 April).
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (25 April), prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the victim had left his car open outside his home whilst packing the car full of luggage for a holiday.
When he returned to the vehicle, he found a man fleeing. On inspection, he found that £250 had been taken from the centre console and the police were called.
When PC Harwood and police dog Conan arrived at the scene moments later, they tracked a scent from the vehicle. It led them to 43-year-old McDonagh, who was hiding in bushes.
The defendant, of Highworth Road, Stratton, was found to be in possession of the cash and was arrested. In custody, he remained silent in an interview – but admitted his crime in court.
Mr Ballinger said the prolific offender has 77 previous convictions for theft-related crimes, adding that McDonagh served a prison term for breaching a restraining order last month, and before that, he was jailed for vehicle interference in December 2021.
Probation officer Michelle James told the court that he was released from prison on licence on 14 April – just ten days before this offence. She said that as a result, he will be recalled for 28 days.
The defendant’s solicitor said his client was managing to keep his 45ml methadone script and is “remorseful about the silliness of the offence” – which was not planned. He said the stolen money was returned to the victim.
In light of his recall to prison and learning that the theft was “opportunist” rather than planned, magistrates imposed a £100 fine and told him to pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.
