The Bratislava District Court sentenced pensioner Rudolf Šimo to half a year in jail for stealing and eating three grapes worth €0.10. His incarceration will cost taxpayers approximately €7,000.
On February 22, Šimo came to a grocery store in a Bratislava shopping mall, stole three grapes, ate them and was subsequently apprehended by security on his way out, the TASR newswire wrote on March 11. He caused no damage to the grape producer. However, due to having a history of probationary sentences in April 2013 for theft and another for a similar crime in the last 12 months, under the “three strikes and you're out” rule the man was sent to jail.
“The amendment drafted by [former Justice Minister] Daniel Lipsic and in effect since September 2003 has turned the legal system upside down,” lawyer Alexander Filo told the Nový Čas daily, which broke the story. “It ushered in punishments and procedures that are to the detriment rather than benefit of the state.”
He pointed out that even though alternative forms of punishment exist, it is practically impossible for Šimo to receive probation in addition to the one he has already received.
(Source: TASR, Nový Čas)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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