Man jailed for stealing electric scooter from outside Cork supermarket

An €1,800 electric scooter parked at a supermarket trolley bay was stolen and the young man who owned it never got it back.

Judge Mary Dorgan commented on the impact that this would have had on the owner as she imposed a five-month jail sentence on 19-year-old Hamid Azrag with an address at Ard Na Rí, Banduff Road, Cork, who stole it.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the owner called to Anglesea Street garda station to report the theft of his €1,800 electric scooter.

“On January 30 2024 he went to Tesco, Douglas Village and at 9pm he parked his scooter behind trolleys in the trolley bay.

“He went to Tesco and when he returned to the trolley bay at 9.15pm his scooter was gone.

“The theft of the scooter was captured on CCTV.

“Garda Donal O’Connell took a voluntary cautioned memo from Mr Azrag in which he admitted taking the electric scooter which was not recovered.” 

Sgt Kelleher said the young man who carried out the theft had previous convictions for robbery and drug-dealing.

Frank Buttimer solicitor said: “What I can offer in mitigation is very limited. He has been in jail for the past nine months – that is one reason why compensation is not forthcoming.

“He is not due for release until March 2026 (on another sentence). He is now studying for his Leaving Cert while in prison which may be of some societal benefit.” 

Judge Dorgan said of the loss of the electric scooter for the owner: “Obviously, this would have had a huge impact from the victim’s point of view.” 

In relation to the longer prison sentence imposed last year Mr Azrag was one of the men involved in a group who carried out an attack on two men walking home in Cork city. For that he was jailed for two and a half years at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to two robbery charges related the attack on two men on February 11 at Tobin Street, Cork.

Defence barrister Nikki O’Sullivan said the accused admitted his part in the crime and was concerned about the impact it had on the victims. She said Mr Azrag was addicted to drugs at that time which were a source of problems in his life.

“At the time he made very bad choices and did not understand the consequences of his actions. He was in the throes of addiction at the time,” Ms O’Sullivan said.