Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8023Theft · Co. Laois · 14 Aug 2026

Husband and wife fined for theft from Portarlington Aldi

Guy Kalama (50) and Bijou Mabuta (44), a husband and wife of Portlaoise, were accused of stealing groceries worth €71.90 from Aldi in Portarlington, Laois, on 14 August. Gardaí said CCTV showed a man going into the store and taking the groceries at 2.45pm, and the goods were not recovered. At Portlaoise District Court both pleaded guilty, and Judge Andrew Gubbins fined each of them €200 and granted legal aid. The latest development, reported on 16 September 2026, is these fines.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Guy Kalama and Bijou Mabuta pleaded guilty to stealing groceries worth €71.90.
Where
The groceries were taken from Aldi in Portarlington, County Laois.
When
The theft happened on 14 August.
Investigation
Gardaí said a man was identified on CCTV going into Aldi and taking the groceries at 2.45pm.
Other details
  • The stolen goods were not recovered.
  • Gardaí said the man had one previous conviction for theft.
  • Key facts state the woman had two previous convictions for theft; the article does not give this figure.
  • The solicitor accepted that the couple were dishonest.
  • The couple were in receipt of social welfare.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court, where the couple pleaded guilty.
Sentence
Judge Andrew Gubbins fined each of the couple €200 and granted legal aid.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGuy Kalama and Bijou Mabuta pleaded guilty to stealing groceries worth €71.90. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe groceries were taken from Aldi in Portarlington. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe theft happened on 14 August. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe man was identified on CCTV going into Aldi and taking the groceries at 2.45pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Gubbins fined each of them €200 and granted legal aid. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe stolen goods were not recovered. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had one previous conviction for theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man's wife had two previous convictions for theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor accepted that the couple were dishonest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe couple were in receipt of social welfare. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Sep2026
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Husband and wife admit theft from Laois store

    Court report of the guilty pleas and sentence. Adds the CCTV identification, the goods not being recovered, the defendants' previous theft convictions and the fines.

    convicted, Guy Kalama, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Guy Kalamaconvicted, Bijou Mabuta, 44, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Bijou Mabuta