THE juvenile who admitted stealing a microscope worth more than $36,000 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has been sentenced yesterday to 12 months imprisonment.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi yesterday told the 17 year-old male that according to his criminal record he has not learnt anything at all.
The young accused has three previous convictions in 2013 and last year in relation to simple larceny and house breaking charges.
He had served six months imprisonment for the simple larceny charges.
“All of your previous convictions are relevant to the current charge and I take them into account,” Ms Taeburi told the young lad.
His records showed that the recent previous conviction was when he was sentenced to six months imprisonment in July 2014.
Ms Taeburi told the young accused that he must have been released from prison sometime in late 2014 or early 2015.
“Not long after your release, in February 2015, you went and committed simple larceny again for the third time in three years.
“The times you have spent in custody for the previous convictions have not taught you anything.
“You have not been rehabilitated in anyway.”
She reminded herself of the principles in sentencing and the provisions in the Juveniles Offender’s Act, but she cannot impose a sentence less than six months imprisonment in his circumstances.
“I am satisfied that a sentence of 12 months imprisonment is the appropriate punishment here.”
The maximum penalty for simple larceny is five years imprisonment.
The time the accused spent in custody was taken into account.
The court heard the accused and his friend had a few beers at the King Solomon Hotel on 13 February 2015.
He left the hotel at sometime between 1am and 3am.
The court then heard he went to the Agriculture Livestock office where he and his friend chatted with the security guard there.
The accused then sneaked around and went into the office.
The door was open and he stole a microscope.
He was later arrested and charged.
The microscope was later recovered.
Public Solicitor’s Lawyer Jenny Namo represented the juvenile while Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota appeared for the state.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
