The mothers of seven boys accused of stealing over $8 000 worth of items began to bawl in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday after Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant remanded them until the middle of next month.
Six boys, ranging in ages 13 to 15 from the Pine and Wildey, St Michael communities, and 16-year-old Adrico Shakur Rudder, of No. 10 Valley View Terrace, Pinelands, St Michael, admitted to criminal damage, theft and three counts of burglary.
Five of the youngsters, one of whom was represented by Rhea Layne, pleaded guilty to damaging two billboards worth $4 230 belonging to the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association between June 9 and 11.
Four also admitted stealing 24 bottles of cran water, 38 bottles of sparkling ice, 22 Celsius energy drinks, ten cans of pure protein shake, five premier protein shakes, five packs of mixed fruit and peanuts, and a life cycle display panel, all valued at $2 596.25, belonging to ABC Fitness Studio, located at the Aquatic Centre, St Michael, between June 10 and 11.
Two of the juveniles and Rudder also admitted trespassing at the home of Charles Carrington and stealing a tablet, three cell phones, a bottle of wine, corkscrew, stove lighter, a bottle of aftershave and $400 on June 10. The items were valued at $915.
On May 21, four members of the group trespassed at the ABC Fitness Studio and stole 18 monster drinks, ten bottles of water, five protein shakes, four protein bars, five wristbands, seven packs of nuts, two bottle shakers, a pair of leggings, six Celsius energy drinks, three packs of popcorn, a bottle of protein powder and six packs of protein powder, with a total cost of $683, belonging to Kenneth Griffith.
And last Saturday, Rudder and two counterparts, who had previously admitted trespassing at Carrington’s home, also admitted entering the official residence of Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson with intent to steal.
Prosecutor Sergeant Cameron Gibbons objected to bail.
“I believe if you show young persons the path, they would try to keep away from that path,” he said, adding there was the need to protect both the public and the youngsters.
Defence counsel Layne, representing a 13-year-old, said he was a student of Frederick Smith Secondary School, had no previous convictions, enjoyed football, had a history of going to church, accepted what he had done and had shown remorse.
“This was simply a matter of being mixed up with the wrong crowd,” she submitted.
However, Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant chastised the young attorney and said she must not downplay the acts with the use of the word “simply”.
After hearing that the boy’s grandmother wanted him to move in with her to keep a watchful eye on him, the magistrate informed them they would all be remanded.
“They did not act by themselves, but in groups. There is the need to protect society, their future, instil discipline in them and to teach them to have respect for authority. There is also the need for them to learn to respect other persons’ property, and not take up what is not theirs without permission,” she said.
The magistrate then sent the wailing parents out of the court. The boys all gathered on a bench awaiting transportation, mingling nonchalantly, seemingly without a care in the world, laughing and talking among themselves.
The matter was adjourned until July 17 for sentencing.
The Under-16s were sent to the Government Industrial School at Dodds, while Rudder was taken to Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds. (RA)
