19-year-old burglar given last chance to reform

A magistrate has sentenced a 19-year-old recidivist to a three-year probation order this morning, urging him to change his path while he still had time.

Inspector Jason Francis Sultana presented John Junior Pace, from Gzira, under arrest before Magistrate Doreen Clarke this morning, accusing him of the burglary of his elderly neighbour’s house last month.

The burglary of the house, which had been unoccupied for five years whilst its owner was being cared for in a home for the elderly, had resulted in some €2,000 worth of silver objects, cutlery, plates and vases being unaccounted for.

In June last year, Pace had been fined €700 after he pleaded guilty to shooting an air rifle at a window of the Gzira health centre. The lenient punishment he received at the time was due to his then clean police conduct.

Addressing the accused, who at first glance appeared much younger than his 19 years  - a fact compounded by the fact that he was accompanied by his concerned mother - the magistrate made it absolutely clear to the boy that this was his last chance.

“I am ordering the probation order to be of the maximum length. You are 19 and already have a previous conviction. You are evidently on the wrong path and we want to set you straight. We can help but ultimately, it depends on you,” she told the youth.

“You are not free from the consequences of this case. If you commit another crime in the next three years you will find this case returning to haunt you and you will be jailed.”

The court appointed a probation officer, warning Pace that not turning up for an appointment with his probation officer or disobeying one of his instructions would be equivalent to doing the same to the court and would also result in his imprisonment.

One hopes that the young man took heed of the magistrate’s parting shot:  “You are still in time to change your path. Take it.”