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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Teen burglars say 'sorry' on card | Teen burglars say 'sorry' on card |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Four teenage burglars returned stolen jewellery and cash to a house - along with £40 compensation and a signed card apologising for their actions. | |
| The youngest, a 15-year-old, had confessed to his mother in Swansea and she helped them to try to make amends. | |
| A youth court gave three referral orders. A fourth is to be sentenced. | A youth court gave three referral orders. A fourth is to be sentenced. |
| One mother told the court she was "appalled" at finding out as the three, raised by single mothers, had been brought up to know right from wrong. | One mother told the court she was "appalled" at finding out as the three, raised by single mothers, had been brought up to know right from wrong. |
| Chief magistrate Elliott Griffiths told them: "We have taken into account your obvious remorse." | Chief magistrate Elliott Griffiths told them: "We have taken into account your obvious remorse." |
| The youth court heard that on 24 November last year the four teenagers broke into a house owned by a nurse in Gorseinon using a key. | The youth court heard that on 24 November last year the four teenagers broke into a house owned by a nurse in Gorseinon using a key. |
| They stole dress jewellery, a digital camera, £12 from a money box and one hundred South African rand. | They stole dress jewellery, a digital camera, £12 from a money box and one hundred South African rand. |
| Prosecuting Louise Thomas said the break-in had left the nurse and her 15-year-old daughter "shocked and scared" and "afraid to be in the house at night." | Prosecuting Louise Thomas said the break-in had left the nurse and her 15-year-old daughter "shocked and scared" and "afraid to be in the house at night." |
| Very sorry for what we have done - it will never happen again What the card said | Very sorry for what we have done - it will never happen again What the card said |
| Six days later the daughter was in the house when a woman knocked on the door, told her she knew who had broken in and handed her £40 cash "in compensation". | Six days later the daughter was in the house when a woman knocked on the door, told her she knew who had broken in and handed her £40 cash "in compensation". |
| The youngster asked if they could have their stolen property returned and a few days later everything, apart from the camera, was left outside the house along with a card signed by all four teenagers. | |
| It said: "Very sorry for what we have done - it will never happen again." | It said: "Very sorry for what we have done - it will never happen again." |
| Three of the teenagers - two aged 17 and the other 15 - were before the court for sentencing. They cannot be named because of their ages. | Three of the teenagers - two aged 17 and the other 15 - were before the court for sentencing. They cannot be named because of their ages. |
| The other - now 18 - will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court later this month. | The other - now 18 - will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court later this month. |
| In mitigation Paul Warren said the three boys were of clean character. | In mitigation Paul Warren said the three boys were of clean character. |
| "They realised it was a stupid thing to do but got caught up in the thrill of the situation," he said. | "They realised it was a stupid thing to do but got caught up in the thrill of the situation," he said. |
| Your mothers have recognised that you have shown appalling behaviour and we completely agree with that sentiment Elliott Griffiths | Your mothers have recognised that you have shown appalling behaviour and we completely agree with that sentiment Elliott Griffiths |
| He said the teenagers had made a "tidy search" of the house which had not been "ransacked" or "soiled". | He said the teenagers had made a "tidy search" of the house which had not been "ransacked" or "soiled". |
| "All three when interviewed by the police immediately admitted their guilt which shows they were clearly remorseful." | "All three when interviewed by the police immediately admitted their guilt which shows they were clearly remorseful." |
| One of the boys told magistrates they had each contributed £10 to be handed over in compensation. | One of the boys told magistrates they had each contributed £10 to be handed over in compensation. |
| "It was stupid. I just did not think of the consequences," he added. | "It was stupid. I just did not think of the consequences," he added. |
| His mother said: "I've spent quite a lot of time talking to them - they are good kids really." | His mother said: "I've spent quite a lot of time talking to them - they are good kids really." |
| She said all three had been raised by single mothers and had been brought up to know right from wrong. | She said all three had been raised by single mothers and had been brought up to know right from wrong. |
| "I'm disappointed. Absolutely appalled. It's the first and last time you are going to see them here," she said. | "I'm disappointed. Absolutely appalled. It's the first and last time you are going to see them here," she said. |
| Sentencing the teenagers, who must also pay £80 court costs each, Mr Griffiths added: "Your mothers have recognised that you have shown appalling behaviour and we completely agree with that sentiment." | Sentencing the teenagers, who must also pay £80 court costs each, Mr Griffiths added: "Your mothers have recognised that you have shown appalling behaviour and we completely agree with that sentiment." |