A man who carried out 12 shoplifting offences in Cork City was jailed for seven months as the sentencing judge said shopkeepers were challenged by such thefts as they strive to pay their staff, rates and other business expenses.

Judge Mary Dorgan initially imposed a sentence of five months on 48-year-old Paul McCarthy and directed him to come under the direction of the probation service for a period following his release from prison.

However, Paul McCarthy said he refused to have anything to do with the probation service as he was not happy with previous dealings he had with that service.

Previous to the 12 new theft offences, the defendant had 205 convictions, including 37 for theft, 31 for being threatening and abusive and 50 for being drunk and a danger.