Drug addict stole £41,000

A drug addict who robbed a Dun Laoghaire businessman and who later stole more than £41,000 from the home of a professional gambler has been jailed for seven years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.Judge Cyril Kelly was told Damien Verhoven became a drug addict while serving his first prison sentence. Verhoven (21), of Ashlawn Park, Ballybrack, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to stealing £7,000 and £34,500 sterling from a house in south Co Dublin on July 9th, 1997. He also admitted being a passenger in a stolen car on the same occasion.He further pleaded guilty to his role in the robbery and assault of a businessman at Upper Glenageary Road, Dun Laoghaire, on May 12th, 1994.