Community service for fencing stolen scooter

PHILIPSBURG – The Court in First Instance sentenced a 17-year old kid to community service for fencing a scooter. The boy was involved in an accident on November 26 of last year with his two-wheeler and when the traffic department examined the scooter it became clear that someone had tampered with the VIN-number.

When police asked the boy where he got the scooter he said that a friend had given it to him and that he did not have to pay for it. It soon became apparent that the scooter had been stolen.

The defendant, a Sundial School student, admitted in court that he is not allowed to drive a scooter. “I don’t feel good that my friend left me with a stolen scooter,” he told the court.

The Court of Guardianship advised the court in a report to impose community service and guidance.

“You failed to think: why did he give me that scooter?” the public prosecutor admonished the boy. “Especially after Irma; everyone knew what was going on.”

The prosecutor demanded 40 hours of community service, with 20 hours conditional and 1 year of probation. “You will have to abide by instructions of the probation office, also when this includes the order to follow a social skills training.”

Attorney Marlon Hart wondered whether his client really knew that the scooter was stolen when he accepted it from his friend. He asked the court for a lower sentence.

The judge considered the charge of fencing proven and expressed some dissatisfaction with the boy’s statement that he had been disappointed with his friend for leaving him with a stolen scooter. “You could have done some thinking before accepting that scooter,” the judge said.

The court sentenced the boy to 40 hours of community service with 20 hours suspended and 1 year of probation. The boy will, as the prosecutor demanded, have to abide by instructions from the probation office.