An Algerian man who used a fake credit card to buy over €1,000 worth of goods from various shops in Dublin city has been jailed for three years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Hassan Laldji (27), formerly of Clanbrassil Street, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to using a false MasterCard to buy goods worth €72 from a pharmacy on Baggot Street; a Gucci watch worth €825 from a city centre watch shop; a camera worth €341; and two mobile phones worth €190 from a phone shop on Dawson Street on December 5th, 2000.
Judge Frank O'Donnell disagreed with Laldji's counsel Mr Peter Le Vert that his client had co-operated fully with the gardaí. He did concede that after initially denying everything, Laldji had later shown gardaí the car where all stolen property was concealed.
Judge O'Donnell noted Laldji had denied committing the crimes until he was confronted with irrefutable evidence. He had also lied to gardaí saying he had never owned, nor driven a Volvo, when in fact the goods he had purchased using the fake card were later found in a Volvo which belonged to him.
Mr Le Vert said Laldji had met an Irish woman in Germany and had come back to the country with her. They became legally separated in 1999 and have a five year old child, whom he supports financially.
Counsel added his client had been drawn into fraudulent activity after acquiring a drinking habit. He had 12 previous convictions in this jurisdiction and had previously received a two year sentence for larceny.