TWO youths aged 13 and 14 must pay more than £1,600 in compensation to islanders whose windows they smashed on a night of wanton vandalism. The pair rode a scooter – uninsured – round the Vale and St Sampson’s on a two-hour rampage, throwing rubble at 15 targets: houses and vehicles.
The youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also sentenced by the Juvenile Court to a total of 42 hours at the attendance centre.
Assistant-Magistrate Philip Robey, who chaired the court, said the attacks were horrifying.
‘It was not spur of the moment damage,’ he said. ‘You went back a number of times to rearm yourselves. We’re horrified by this sustained, purposeful damage over a period of time.’
One Vale resident, who had to pay £100 for window repairs, said parents should have more control over their children.
‘If they were more involved, they might have a bit more responsibility for their nippers,’ said marine crewman Alex Williams, 31, who saw neighbours having to board up their properties at 2am.
‘We used to get in a bit of
bother when we were kids, but nothing like that.’
He was given a £30 discount on the repairs by the glazier who had seen coverage of the damage in the Guernsey Press.
‘It’s good to see there’s still a bit of community spirit,’ he said.
Decorator Dave Prigent, who had to claim on his insurance for a £770 windscreen replacement, came up with a new punishment.
‘Insurance companies should take their names and hit them when they’re old enough to take out their own policy,’ he said.
‘They can’t punish them much more than they have already. I’m surprised it was only two.’
Vale senior constable Colin Bond did not want to comment on the sentencing.
‘I find it rather sad that people should find pleasure in doing this sort of vandalism,’ he said.
But parish deputy Graham Guille was less reticent.
‘I applaud the courts for having dealt firmly with those responsible,’ he said.
‘Those engaging in these sorts of activity need to be made aware that actions have consequences and if they are caught, the results will be expensive.’
Police were pleased that the matter had been concluded successfully.
‘This clearly demonstrates that over a short period a few individuals can cause a huge amount of damage,’ said Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy, who encouraged parish officials and the public to be the force’s eyes and ears.
‘These sorts of crime are notoriously difficult to solve because there is little forensic evidence.
‘We can deal with them only with the public’s help.’
Article posted on 25th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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