A 19-year-old man and the mother of a 14-year-old boy were, on Thursday, ordered to pay EC$740 each in compensation to the owners of two bicycles that they stole and scrapped.
Nimron Daniel and the 14-year-old boy each pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, committed between Oct. 27 and 28, 2017 at Georgetown.
The Colonarie Magistrate’s Court at Georgetown heard that about 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27, Kendra Da Silva and Jeromie Butler, secured a mountain bike and a BMX stunt bike by tying them together in their patio.
About 6:15 a.m. on Oct. 28, they discovered that the bikes were missing and reported the matter to the police.
On Oct. 29, police received information that the bikes were in Chester Cottage and went there, where the defendants handed over the bikes to them.
The youths were cautioned and interviewed and volunteered statements admitting to stealing the bikes.
The court was shown the bikes, which were no longer in good condition.
In mitigation, the youth told the court that the 14-year-old, who had a bike of his own, had orchestrated the theft.
The court further heard that the younger lad had advised his co-accused to wait until the owners had retired for the night to commit the crime.
The mother of the 14-year-old, when questioned by Magistrate Rickie Burnett, told the court that she was at home when her son stole the bike in Georgetown.
She said that he was initially at the roadside cooking with friends and she had thought that he had gone to his cousins’ house.
The magistrate told the accused youths that he was concerned about where the EC$1,480 to replace the bikes would come from.
Daniel told the court hat his mother was in court and had indicated that she would compensate the owners of the stolen bike.
His mother told the court that she did not have the full EC$740, but had EC$500.
The mother of the 14-year-old told the court that the child’s father had indicated that he would pay his part of the compensation.
The magistrate told the parents that they have to talk to their children, adding that he was especially concerned that the facts presented to the court showed that it was the 14-year-old who had orchestrated the crime.
Burnett further told the mother that her son’s mind seems to be in a particular direction and she has to turn him around or he could end up in his or another court in the future.
He ordered Daniel to pay EC$240 in compensation forthwith and the remainder by Nov. 16 or spend six months in prison.
The mother of the 14-year-old boy was ordered to pay EC$740 by Nov. 16.
He again reminded the mother of her responsibility.
“When you have sex and you have children, that’s a serious responsibility,” the magistrate said.
He said that while he was unhappy with both youths, he was especially displeased with the 14-year-old who had a bike of his own, but stole someone else’s to scrap it.
The Court need to also hold the 14 year old responsible.Have the 14 year old complete community services for the one he stole from under the guidance of a church community services program.