No mercy for teen burglar who begs for mercy

An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced an 18-year-old student, Nasiru Abdullahi of Kunchingoro, Airport road, Abuja to one year imprisonment for trespass and housebreaking.

Police prosecutor Jeremiah Elijah told the court that the convict was brought to the Lugbe Police Station on 9 August by Ada Godwin of the same address.

Elijah said that Abdullahi broke into the house of the complainant and scattered her goods with the intent to steal them.

He said the convict, who was caught in the act, tried to cover his face with the pillows he stole from the complainant’s room.

Abdullahi pleaded guilty and begged for mercy.

“My mother is sick, that is why I stole; I am begging the court for mercy’’.

Senior Magistrate Ann Akobi observed that housebreaking had become one of the most common offences in Abuja.

Akobi said that the convict, who is a very young man, should have engaged himself in useful activities rather than commit crime, adding that he must be punished to serve as lesson to him and a deterrent to others.

She, therefore, sentenced the accused to six months imprisonment for trespass and another six months for housebreaking, without an option of fine.

Akobi, however,said that the sentences would run concurrently.