Five teenage students were given a second chance yesterday after their conspiracy and breaking and entering charges were dropped in Magistrates' Court, but two others involved in the crime will face court again after claiming they were innocent.

Jason Doers, Timothy Augustus, Gladwin Robinson, Shane D. Morrissey, and Lorenz Burch appeared before Acting Senior Magistrate William Francis accused of conspiracy of breaking and entering the Southampton house of their two acquaintances to steal two Yamaha V50 motorbikes.

Jahlano I. Hill and Whakail J. Lightbourne were then accused of receiving the two bikes valued at $1000 and $1,700. They replied they were not guilty and will face trial in Magistrates' Court on August 4.

Doers, Augustus, Robinson, Morrissey and Burch all reside with their parents and attend school. They were between 16 to 18 years old before the May 11 crime, when the two victims reported to Police that their bikes and keys had been taken.

Acting Senior Magistrate William Francis asked if the five were guilty of conspiracy to steal property and breaking and entering the house. The five students admitted their part.

"The first thought into kids minds is to get parts they need off of the cycle of a friend or relative. Or worse still, to go to a parking lot at 12 or 2 in the morning and take a cycle and get...," Mr. Francis said.

Defence counsel Larry Scott replied, "You're partly right sir. But never do you get back the full price of the cycle." He said that the parents of the accused had fully compensated the complainant.

One of the complainants appeared in court with the family members of the accused, saying that in fact this information was true.

The Police report that on May 10, the five boys met and planned to steal the bikes. The boys visited the complainants and stole the keys from the ignitions of the bikes. Augustus handed the keys to Burch, who at a later time entered the house with Morrissey.

The two took the cycles from inside the house and met Doers and Robinson outside. They drove to Hog's Bay Park where Augustus was waiting for them.

On May 11, the two complainants realised the bikes had been taken along with their keys. The complainants called the Police. Augustus removed the cycles to a secure area in the park.

On May 14, Burch was interviewed on caution and admitted the crime. He obtained the bike keys from Augustus and drove with Police to Hog Bay where the frame of one of the Yamaha V50 bikes and other bike parts littered the area.

All five boys had no previous convictions.

"We are dealing with serious offenses of breaking and entering and cycle theft," said Mr. Francis.

Defence counsel Elizabeth Christopher argued it was her client's first offence: "I've been impressed with the demeanour of these young men. Doers has just completed his GED and is currently gainfully employed. He has the appropriate ethic."

Doers was 16 years old at the time of the crime.

Mr. Francis asked if Crown Counsel Wayne Caines had anything to say. "I'll leave this in your capable hands, Sir," he replied.

Doers, Augustus, Robinson, Morrissey and Burch all received an absolute discharge for conspiracy to breaking and entering and stealing property from the complainants.

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