Jail for young thieves

THREE youths were sentenced in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court last week on two charges of theft from vehicles.

The three, who were minors at the time of the crimes, stole goods valued at N$6 500 from two vehicles on separate occasions in August. Two of the youths received three years in prison on both counts of theft; the third was sentenced to two years.All three were 17 years old at the time of their arrest.On August 10 they stole a jacket, socket set, tool box and shoulder bag from the vehicle of Clive Lawrence.Two days later they broke into the vehicle of Charles September and stole a radio-tape, knife, torch and cheque book.According to the court records, all of them have previous convictions.One received an 18-month sentence for assault in 2002, while the second youth received two suspended four-month sentences for housebreaking and theft in 2002, and a six-month sentence for theft in the same year.The third member of the gang was found guilty in November of stealing four caps valued at N$333.He was sentenced to N$600 or a six-month sentence.Two of the youths received three years in prison on both counts of theft; the third was sentenced to two years. All three were 17 years old at the time of their arrest. On August 10 they stole a jacket, socket set, tool box and shoulder bag from the vehicle of Clive Lawrence. Two days later they broke into the vehicle of Charles September and stole a radio-tape, knife, torch and cheque book. According to the court records, all of them have previous convictions. One received an 18-month sentence for assault in 2002, while the second youth received two suspended four-month sentences for housebreaking and theft in 2002, and a six-month sentence for theft in the same year. The third member of the gang was found guilty in November of stealing four caps valued at N$333. He was sentenced to N$600 or a six-month sentence.