Fraudster sent taxi to collect f2k camera haul

Eimear Cotter

An alarm installer who tried to buy over €2,000 worth of high-end camera equipment with a stolen credit card sent along a taxi driver to pick up the goods for him, a court heard.

Lee O'Brien (25) said he was involved in a serious road accident some time ago, and has suffered from memory loss and learning difficulties since.

It was claimed that he was acting on the instructions of an accomplice.

The matter was back before Judge James McDonnell for the consideration of a probation report.

O'Brien's lawyer also handed a number of medical and neurological reports into court.

The defendant previously admitted before Tallaght District Court to deceiving a person to commit an act to make gain for himself, contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

Sergeant Bernard Jones had said that O'Brien ordered €2,300 worth of high-end digital camera equipment from Zintek Systems, Greenhills Road, Tallaght on August 7, 2008.

He placed the order over the phone and paid with a credit card, giving details of the card number and expiry date.

O'Brien, of Kilkieran Court, Cabra West, then ordered a taxi to pick up the camera equipment on North Frederick Street and deliver it to him.

However, Sgt Jones said the company was suspicious of the way the transaction occurred, and refused to hand over the camera equipment to the taxi driver. The court heard that the company then rang the bank, and were told the credit card did not belong to O'Brien.

Judge McDonnell said that the crime involved some amount of comprehension and cunning, even if it was with an accomplice, and O'Brien knew the difference between right and wrong.

The judge ordered a report to see whether the defendant was suitable for community service and adjourned the matter to a date in March.

hnews@herald.ie