Two juveniles have been sentenced to two years in prison, with the sentence suspended for seven years, after being convicted of stealing items worth over $3,000. The two, aged 16 and 17 at the time of the offense, along with another individual, were charged with aggravated burglary and theft after entering the home of a complainant who was preparing to travel to Fiji.
The incident occurred between December 1, 2022, and February 3, 2023. A friend of the complainant discovered the front door open and various items missing upon arriving at the residence.
Justice Riyaz Hamza, during the ruling, noted that the level of harm in this case was low, largely because the stolen property was of minimal value and no physical or emotional trauma was inflicted on the victim. He stated that, due to these factors, the appropriate prison sentence for aggravated burglary would typically range from one to five years.
The judge emphasized that the juveniles had disregarded the complainant’s privacy and property rights by trespassing into an unoccupied home. He remarked that their actions had disrupted the peace of the community.
Recognizing the potential for rehabilitation, Justice Hamza opted to suspend the juveniles’ prison sentence. He ordered that they be placed on probation with the Social Welfare Department for two years, which will include immediate counseling alongside their parents. The judge also instructed the department to provide support to the juveniles’ mother to enhance her parenting skills.