Corpun file 18945

Antigua Sun, St John's, 15 February 2007

Court orders 12 lashes for juvenile offenders

By Tahna Weston

A magistrate has ordered that several teenagers receive lashes for their crimes as the court assumes a tough stand against young offenders who seem intent on breaching the country's laws.

The six juveniles who had made a daring escape from the Juvenile Centre late last year, appeared in the St. John's Magistrate's Court this week and four of the six, were sentenced to receive 12 strokes each.

A 16-year-old youth receives 12 lashes and 28 days in prison. He was also sentenced to three months on a larceny charge. He has a battery charge pending with two other juveniles, which comes up next month. Two 17-year-old teenagers were each sentenced to 12 strokes in addition to 14 days behind bars.

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Corpun file 19369

Antigua Sun, St John's, 19 February 2007

12 strokes for young burglar

A 15-year-old boy will feel the weight of a dozen strokes, ordered by a District Magistrate, after he pleaded guilty last Friday to house breaking and larceny charges.

According to reports the youth broke into a Browne's Avenue home on 13 Feb., and removed more than $8,000 worth of merchandise.

Stolen items included, compact discs, gold chains, cellular phones, CD players, head phones, ID bracelets, seven pairs of gold earrings, a gold pendant and a gold ring.

Police were able to recover most of the items.

Reports are that the youth, who is known to the court, was walking in the area when he decided to go into the house.

A neighbour saw him and called the owner, who later arrived home and discovered the items missing.

The owner reported the matter to the police and investigations were conducted, resulting in the detention and arrest of the young man.

He was subsequently charged.

He gained entry by breaking a window, for which he also has to pay $1,250 in compensation.

He has until May to come up with the funds or risks facing more strokes.

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