Judge orders man who stole pensioner’s handbag to pay up

A man with more than 20 previous convictions has pleaded guilty to stealing the handbag of an elderly woman as she made her way home after collecting her pension.

The victim, a recent sitting of Mullingar District Court heard, had been left shaken following the incident on March 2, 2024.

Andrew Masterson (29), 73 Grange Village, Mullingar, pleaded guilty to stealing the black handbag from the 72-year-old woman at Grange Heights, Mullingar.

The handbag contained €400 in cash, a mobile phone, purse, bank cards, pension book and a set of keys.

Sgt Orla Keenan, for the state, told the court that the incident took place at 11am. She said the suspect – later confirmed as Mr Masterson – ran off into the Grange Heights area with the bag and its contents.

A follow-up search, aided by Mr Masterson following his arrest, retrieved the bag, but not the €400 which had been in it.

The victim was not in court to hear the evidence, but had tendered a victim impact statement.

The court was told Mr Masterson had 22 previous convictions to his name, the most recent in November 2022 for theft.

Judge Bernadette Owens was also told of a separate criminal damage incident on May 20, 2023 at O’Growney Drive, Mullingar, that Mr Masterson also pleaded guilty to.

In that incident, the court heard, three tyres and the rear window of a vehicle were damaged.

Defence counsel, Andrea Callan, BL said the incidents were “two particularly shocking crimes”, and Mr Masterson was extremely remorseful.

She said he had been going through the breakdown of a relationship at the time and had been drinking heavily.

She said that, though it was no excuse, the challenges the father of three faced at the time put the incident in context.

She said her client had €100 by way of compensation and asked for an extension to allow him accrue further funds.

Ms Callan said that her argument was being made based on Mr Masterson’s desire to secure seasonal work in the coming weeks.

Judge Owens accepted that application, but warned Mr Masterson to have another €300 in court at the adjourned date.

Mr Masterson was told if he adhered to that request, the court would examine the possibility of allowing him gather further money to make a similar compensation payment for the criminal damage charge.

She remanded Mr Masterson on bail to Mullingar District Court on December 12.