Photo: LOGAN WEAVER/Unsplash
TLDR: A 17-year-old used techniques he learnt on the internet to hotwire and steal motorcycles. He and two other friends were able to steal two motorcycles before they were caught.
More thoughts: The 17-year-old’s identity is protected under the Children and Young Person’s Act. However, his co-accused is above 18 years old and can be identified in this article.
The 17-year-old was sentenced to reformative training while the 19-year-old was sentenced to probation. Reformative training involves a structured rehabilitation program in a closed environment. Probation on the other hand allows the offender to continue with normal daily activities. Find out more about sentencing options in Lex & Rex: The Rise of Anarchy.
Reformative training is generally considered to be more severe than probation and one of the harsher rehabilitative sentences. So why was the younger offender given a more punitive sentence than his older friend? Other than age, there are many possible factors that the court would take into consideration in sentencing. These include the seriousness of the offence, past records, and likelihood of rehabilitation.
However, it cannot be denied that the court has given them a more lenient sentence as compared to the statutory penalty for theft of motor vehicle in section 379A of the Penal Code, which is up to 7 years’ jail and fine.
The internet is a great resource for any information you could ever need, and these motorcycle thiefs are smart enough to harvest and apply the new skills they learnt from it. But as with everything else, great power means great responsibility. Use your brains to help rather than hurt others!