Nassau-A teenager will spend 18 months in prison for stealing 15 tablets and a television from Gambier Primary School.
The 16-year-old’s guilty plea came moments after he and 18-year-old Lamar Mackey were sentenced to one year in prison for a break-in and theft from a home in Love Beach.
Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans presided over both cases and she ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke into the school between May 18 and 19.
School principal Delores Forbes told police that unknown culprits broke into the school’s office and took the tablets, valued at $1,050 and a Samsung TV, worth $400.
Police recovered 13 of the stolen tablets when they searched the home, the court heard.
When interviewed by police, the juvenile said that he was present during the break-in.
He said an accomplice, who remains at large gave him the tablets.
He apologised for his actions in court.
The teen’s mother also said sorry for her wayward child’s actions.
In tears, the mother said, “My daughter, who’s seven goes to that school. He shouldn’t have done that. She’s on the lunch programme; she needs her tablet; he’s an embarrassment to me.”
Before passing sentence, Vogt-Evans told that the school break-in was worse than his theft at the private home.
The magistrate said, “Your sister gets assistance from the school; it’s disgraceful.”
No remorse
Several days before he broke into the school, the teen and Mackey broke into the home of Stephen Alsip at Love Beach.
The break-in and theft took place between May 13 and 14.
The teenagers stole two televisions, an iPhone, a suitcase and speakers from Alsip’s home.
Officers from the Cable Beach Police Station found the stolen iPhone at Mackey’s home on May 23, the court heard.
Investigators then arrested the juvenile and he admitted the offenses.
Vogt-Evans noted the convicts’ lack of remorse before passing sentence.
She said that the theft had made Alsip uncomfortable in his own home.
Vogt-Evans said, “His quiet peaceful enjoyment that he ought to have in his home has been messed up because you decided that you don’t want to work for what you want.”
The magistrate said, “Not one of you said you were sorry. None of you appear to be remorseful; you just appear to be sad that you’re locked up.”
Vogt-Evans said she considered their youth, lack of prior convictions and remorse in determining the appropriate sentence.
The court imposed concurrent sentences of one year for housebreaking and stealing.
