A YOUNG man charged for the first time as an adult was admonished by the judge to remember his time in adult jail and not commit any more crimes.
Earl Theodorou, 18, was given a four month sentence with one year probation to follow after pleading guilty to charges of break and enter on Aug. 31 of this year and possession of stolen property on Sept. 1 in provincial court before Judge Terry Shupe Oct. 19. When time served was considered, Theodorou will spend two-and-a-half months in jail.
“The offence was indeed a serious one because he [committed a] break and enter at a residence when it was occupied in the early morning,” said Shupe, adding Theodorou had a “very substantial youth record.”
“His first time in jail has scared him. It’s obvious when you look at him on the video,” he added, referring to Theordorou’s appearance in court by video conferencing from Prince George Regional Correctional Centre.
Shupe acknowledged that the public could see the sentence as lenient but they don’t see it as he does.
Theodorou has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which means he doesn’t understand that his actions are wrong, defence lawyer Hollis Lucky had told the court when giving his sentencing submissions.
Theodorou has an Intensive Supportive and Supervision Program (ISSP) person in Prince Rupert he’s been working with and will continue to work with until July 1, 2012 as ordered from his youth convictions to help him as much as possible.
While on probation, he must abide by a number of conditions that include reporting to his ISSP within 48 hours of his release from jail.
“It’s going to be tough but you can’t do any more break and enters or where you’ve been is where you are going to be and you will be there for longer and longer. Do you understand that?” said Shupe to Theodorou after sentencing him.
“Yes,” replied Theodorou.