TEN YEARS DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR BREAKING INTO PRIMARY SCHOOL
Alvin Erasmus has been found guilty and sentenced to 10 years of direct imprisonment by the De Aar Magistrates’ Court on one count of housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft. On 9 December 2022, the accused broke into and entered Alpha Primary School, and stole various food and sporting items to the value of R20 000. The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested. He pleaded guilty to the charge after evidence in the docket linked him with fingerprints to the crime scene. In his plea explanation, the accused told the court that he was not alone but did not disclose names.
The prosecution, represented by Advocate Mike Munnik, in aggravation of sentence, expressed concern with how frequently these types of crimes are committed and that a clear message needed to be sent out by the court that such behaviour will not go unpunished. The prosecution further argued that direct imprisonment was the only suitable punishment in types of cases.
In sentencing, the magistrate expressed concern with how frequent housebreakings in schools are occurring lately and that this cannot be condoned. That the crime for which the accused was found guilty is a serious and prevalent offence in the district of De Aar, and that not only did he steal from the school but also from the community as the school was for public service. The court further noted that the accused plea was not an indication of remorse but because the prosecution had a strong case that left him without any other choice but to plead guilty to the charge.
The court found that the community had a direct interest in these types of sentencing and that a clear message needed to be sent that the communities can trust the justice system. The accused was subsequently sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment.
