By Ryan Pilon

Sentencing scheduled for teens in home invasion

Apr 27, 2011 | 12:36 PM

Two youths who committed a home invasion in the Eastview Trailer Park, and stole money from a 92-year-old man, will be sentenced on Friday.

The incident occurred on Mar. 31 at about 6 a.m.

The two young men, both around 16 years of age, smashed in a trailer home’s door and demanded money from the senior occupant.

The man gave them $20 each, but the teenagers then snatched his entire wallet and left. However, when the victim began to call the police, the youths returned.

“The police could hear his cries on the telephone,” said Crown prosecutor John Morral outside of provincial court.

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The teenagers not only took more items, but they also disconnected his phone and tossed eggs at the home.

The youths have pleaded guilty to the home invasion.

Crown prosecutor John Morral said that a sentence of 15 months of open custody for both of them, followed by about seven months of community supervision would be appropriate.

However, if the youths were a couple of years older, Morral said they would be facing a penitentiary term.

“Then they’d be looking anywhere between five and nine years in the penitentiary,” he said.

“Certainly the sentences step up a lot once you turn 18.”
Lawyer Greg Chovin, representing one of the teenagers, said in court his client is a young man who can still change and being in custody for the past month has opened his eyes.

“He’s seen what life in custody is like, and he doesn’t want to be there,” said Chovin.

The youths had an opportunity to address the judge, which they both accepted.

“Sorry for what I’ve done,” said one of the teenage boys.
“We didn’t know he was in his house… I went back to give back his money, but he told us ‘No, just leave me alone,’” said the other youth.

Morral responded to the second statement that it seemed odd the boys would steal more money, disconnect the phone, and toss eggs at the home if they came back to simply return the money.

There was also evidence given in court that suggests the youths are involved in the West Side gang.

Morral said the pre-sentence report indicated they hung around with gang members and have gang symbols on their bodies.

However, the young men have denied being a part of the gang.

“People of course tend to deny that sort of thing when they’re in court, but I think there’s certainly some strong evidence that they do have some involvement with them,” said Morral.

One of the teenagers is also charged with assault in a separate incident.

The two will remain in custody until their sentencing hearing on Friday.

rpilon@panow.com