Belfast man who received 'serious punishment beating' steals gummy bears to relieve pain, court told

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Alan Erwin

October 06 2021 01:45 PM

A Belfast man stole a £50 jar of CBD gummy bears from a city centre store in a bid to relieve pain from a serious punishment beating, a court heard today.

Kelvin Kane, 26, targeted Boots because he was suffering from having nearly every bone in his hands broken, his lawyer said.

Kane, with an address at Victoria Street, pleaded guilty to carrying out the theft on Tuesday.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard he entered the store at Donegall Place, put a jar of CBD gummy bears up his coat and then exited.

Police arrested him a short time later and retrieved the product valued at £50.

CBD is a legal cannabinoid supplement believed to help with relaxation.

Appearing remotely from custody, Kane held up his heavily bandaged hands to demonstrate the extent of his injuries.

Defence solicitor Damien Trainor disclosed: "He received a very, very serious punishment beating where virtually every bone in each hand was broken."

Kane then attended hospital so frequently that he was prevented from returning, the court heard.

"He stole these items in an attempt to get some relief from the pain," Mr Trainor added.

"He's in a particularly bad way from the trauma of the punishment beating."

At one point Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes queried: "He does know CBD gummy bears aren't hallucinogenic?"

Refusing bail due to the risk of re-offending, Mr Holmes pointed out that Kane already has suspended sentences for other thefts hanging over him.

"I have every sympathy with his injuries and his pain, but he's going to the right place to be dealt with for that," the judge said.

"He's going to Maghaberry (Prison) where they have a hospital unit."

Kane was remanded in custody to appear in court again on October 19.

Belfast man who received 'serious punishment beating' steals gummy bears to relieve pain, court told

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