A 19-year-old who was found guilty of breaking into a home and stealing valuables has been ordered to attend counseling as part of a two-year suspended sentence. The individual will avoid jail time if he does not commit any further offenses within the next seven years. The crime occurred when he was 17 years old, and the judge has mandated probation through the Social Welfare Department for a two-year period.
During the sentencing at the High Court in Lautoka, Justice Riyaz Hamza instructed that the Social Welfare Department arrange for immediate counseling services, to be conducted in the presence of the young man’s mother. The judge emphasized that the department must also provide support and resources to enhance the mother’s parenting skills.
The man faced charges of aggravated burglary after he and accomplices illegally entered a residence in Korovutu, Ba, while the homeowner was away. Justice Hamza noted that the level of harm caused could be considered low, as the stolen items were of limited value and no violence or significant trauma was inflicted on the complainant.
In his defense, the young man stated he had turned to farming and admitted that the crime resulted from poor judgment and peer pressure. Justice Hamza expressed confidence in the young man’s potential for rehabilitation, which influenced the decision to suspend the punishment for seven years to deter him and others from similar offenses while ensuring community safety.