A TEEN who attempted to steal shoes from a local store received probation and words of advice from the judge at her sentencing Feb. 22.
The 15-year-old girl, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty and was given a conditional discharge of six months probation with conditions because she had no previous criminal record.
“I hope that this is the first and last activity like this and you should appreciate that these stores have to deal with these kinds of problems far too frequently as far as I’m concerned,” said Judge Calvin Struyk.
On Aug. 12, 2010, the youth and a friend went into Walmart, put on some shoes and proceeded to go through the cashier with other items they paid for, but did not offer to pay for the shoes, which were worth about $25 a pair, court heard as prosecutor Paul Kirk reviewed the evidence before sentencing.The store’s loss prevention employee followed the girls, saw the theft and arrested the pair outside the store, court heard.
Defence lawyer Ken Anderson said his client admitted the crime was a dumb thing to do and that she regretted her actions.
He believed she was embarrassed about it and had learned her lesson, he added.
“It does concern me that you would be involved in something like this with a friend or acquaintance,” said Struyk.
“It seems to me there are other ways to use your time and do something exciting than doing this sort of thing.”
The Youth Criminal Justice Act directs a judge to emphasize rehabilitation, meaning to deal with young people in such a way that they won’t commit any more crimes, said Struyk.
“It ‘s important to me that you do not have a criminal record and if you follow through [by abiding by the probation conditions], I will see to it you have no criminal record,” said Struyk, adding not having a record will be important to her in the future.
The teen was ordered not to go to Walmart or be within 100 metres of the store, to complete 10 hours of community work service within the first three months of her probation, and to write a letter of apology to the store as part of her conditions.
